Hanoi sees strong growth in international arrivals

Hoan Kiem Lake, one of famous tourist sites in Hanoi. (Source: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – Hanoi welcomed 3.2 million international tourist arrivals in the first ten months of 2016, up 23 percent year-on-year and close to the figure recorded in 2015 (3.36 million), according to the municipal Department of Tourism.

Of which, 2.3 million tourists made their stay in the capital, an increase of 24.4 percent from the same period last year.

Hanoi’s leading tourist sources included China, the Republic of Korea, Japan, Australia, France, the United States, Germany and Thailand.

If domestic holidaymakers were included, Hanoi received over 18 million visitors during the period, earning nearly 50.7 trillion VND (2.27 billion USD) in revenue.

Hanoi’s tourism markets have been expanded, with international arrivals from 160 countries and territories. The capital city has been a destination of around 40 percent of foreign tourists to Vietnam.

Moreover, Hanoi is making efforts to diversify its tourism products and services based on its advantages and potential, including culture tourism, MICE, eco-tourism and farm stay.

Cultural tourism is now a strength of the city with tours of historical sites, the Old Quarter, French architectures, museums, craft villages and traditional art forms.

Hanoi has also focused on improving tourism infrastructure. It boasts 72 hotels from three to five stars with 9,844 rooms.

Promotion activities have been carried out in order to introduce tourists to a friendly and appealing Hanoi.

According to the department, in 2016, Hanoi hopes to welcome 4 million international visitors, up 22.6 percent from last year, and 17.8 million domestic tourists, up 8.5 percent. Total revenue from tourism is expected to reach 62.3 trillion VND (2.8 billion USD).-VNA