HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam received 11.6 million international tourists during the first nine months of this year, an increase of 22.9 per cent in comparison with the same period last year, according to Nguyễn Văn Tuấn, chairman of Việt Nam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT).

Tuấn released the figures during a press conference yesterday in Hà Nội, adding that the number of domestic tourists had reached 62.1 million.

“Total income from tourism since the beginning of the year reached VNĐ451 trillion (US$19.6 billion), and increase of 20 per cent in comparison with the same period last year,” he said.

Reviewing tourism activities in the first nine months, Tuấn said VNAT had promoted Vietnamese tourism in various markets such as the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, Europe, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

The Việt Nam International Tourism Mart (Hà Nội) and International Travel Expo (HCM City) were also successfully organised.

The country is hoping to attract 15.7 million international tourists and 80-82 million domestic tourists this year.

The northern province of Quảng Ninh will host the 38th ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) and the ASEAN Travel Expo (TRAVEX) in January next year.

“Hosting the event will offer valuable opportunities for the country to promote its people and tourist destinations,” said Tuấn.

“They are the most important events for next year. Around 1,500 delegates from ASEAN and dialogue partners (China, India Japan, South Korea and Russia), including tourism ministers, leaders from national travel agencies, representatives from travel agents, hotels and luxury resorts, and news agencies in and outside the region, will gather in the most important forum in the framework of ASEAN tourism co-operation,” he said. — VNS