Ho Chi Minh City is striving to welcome 4.4 million international tourists, raking in 94 trillion VND (4.4 billion USD) - 15 percent more revenue than last year.

The target was proposed at a February 27 conference to discuss the fulfilment of the city’s culture, sports and tourism sectors this year.

To reach the goal, the tourism sector needs to continue improving the quality of tourism products and services and expand waterway tourism, especially ecotourism, Le Ton Thanh, Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said at the event.

Efforts should be exerted to step up tourism promotion programmes and connections between tourist areas as well as further ensure public order, with a view of enhancing the attractiveness of the southern destinations in the eyes of foreign tourists.

In recent years, despite economic difficulties, HCM City, Vietnam’s bustling economic hub, has maintained its tourism growth, noted Le Van Hung, Acting Director of the Southern Office of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

He also suggested that the city and surrounding provinces pay attention to diversifying tourism products in order to fully tap their potential.

Last year, the city saw sustainable and stable growth in tourism, receiving more than 4.1 million foreign tourists, generating revenue of 81.97 trillion VND (3.85 billion USD).-VNA