2019 is considered a successful year for Vietnam’s tourism when the Southeast Asian country won multiple prestigious titles including top World Heritage destination and Best Golf destination. (Source: Industry and Trade Magazine)

The country is in the midst of a tourism boom, and its visitor numbers last year rose at one of the fastest rates in the world – more than 16 percent to 18 million – said the 2019 Tourism Highlight report released by the United Nations World Tourism Organization this week. Myanmar enjoyed the fastest growth rate of 40 percent while France remained the most visited country with more than 90 million arrivals.

Vietnam has launched an online visa system for travelers on short holidays and casual business trips. It has also added 35 more countries, including emerging tourism markets in Europe, to the list of those whose nationals can visit the country with e-visas, expanding the list to 80 countries.

The global tourism industry is expected to suffer massively due to the new coronavirus outbreak. The tourism industry in China and countries that rely on Chinese tourists would suffer the most and have immediate repercussions, insiders said.