At Huu Nghi international border gate in northern Lang Son province. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – It is estimated that Vietnam's tourism sector served about3.2 million tourists during the New Year holidays from December 30, 2023 toJanuary 1, 2024, up 6.6% year on year, but the overall number of visitors fellshort of expectations.
According to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism(VNAT) under the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, the average roomoccupancy rate in lodging facilitates reached nearly 50%, with some tourismhubs nationwide reporting even higher rates, at around 70%.
The limited duration of the break played a significant role indissuading tourists from opting for leisure travel, as many preferred reunitingwith their families rather than embarking on tourist excursions.
This year's travel trend highlights a budget tightening, reducedpurchasing power, and a reduction in expenditures on public transport suchas airplanes and trains while transport service costs hiked during peakdays, said the VNAT, adding that a portion of domestic tourists contributedto a decline in in-country lodgings, as some chose to explore internationaldestinations instead.
Foreign visitors were mostly from key markets, including theRepublic of Korea (RoK), China, Japan, the US, Australia, Europe, Thailand andIndia.
Vietnamese tourists opting for outbound tours explored diversedestinations, including China, Taiwan (China), the RoK, Japan, and more. Outboundtours within Southeast Asia, such as Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, held acompetitive edge in terms of pricing and attracted considerable attention fromVietnamese travellers.
Airlineslike Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways, and Vietravel Airlines offered over5,300 flights, providing a total of 1.06 million seats. In the railway sector,an additional 30 train services were operated, connecting Hanoi withdestinations like Lao Cai, Hai Phong, Vinh and Dong Hoi.
Looking ahead, the tourism industry aims to welcome 17-18million foreign visitors and cater to 110 million domestic travellers this year, earning a revenue of approximately 840 trillion VND (35 billion USD)./.
