This year Vietnam’s tourism sector will focus on implementing the plan for 2021-2030, with a vision to 2045, the tourism marketing strategy to 2030, the technology application project to develop smart tourism and make tourism a spearhead economic sector, and the community tourism development program.

The Vietnamese tourism sector will participate in international events, like the ASEAN Tourism Forum in Indonesia, the International Fair in Germany, and the World Tourism Fair in the UK. Events to promote Vietnamese tourism will be held in major markets in Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America.

Vu The Binh, President of the Vietnamese Tourism Association, said: “Attracting foreign tourists is an important goal of Vietnamese tourism. We need products and services that appeal to foreign tourists. We’re aiming at not just nearby markets, but also distant markets.”

A General Statistics Office report on January 29 showed that Vietnam welcomed 871,000 foreign arrivals in January, 23% more than in last December. Tourism revenue was 94 million USD, an increase of 113%. Localities seeing a surge in tourism included Hanoi, Hai Phong, Lao Cai, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, and Can Tho.

Dao Thi Thanh Thuy, Vice President of Can Tho city’s Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, said: “Can Tho city will develop river eco-tourism products. We’ll enhance cooperation and build value chains of our products. We’ll also focus on communications and promotion.”

Vietnam welcomed 3.5 million foreign tourists last year and served 101.3 million domestic tourists. The total tourism revenue was nearly 21.1 billion USD. This year the tourism industry hopes to welcome 110 million tourists, including 8 million foreigners, and earn about 27.7 billion USD.