HCM City's tourism department welcomed the arrival of the first international guests on a flight to the southern city in 2024. — VNA/VNS Photo Mỹ Phương

HÀ NỘI — The number of international visitors to Việt Nam in the first month of 2024 reached over 1.5 million, an increase of 10.3 per cent compared to the previous month and a 73.6 per cent increase compared to the same period last year.

The notable increase in international visitors in January, with many markets experiencing remarkable growth, is the result of extensive, systematic efforts to promote and advertise Việt Nam's tourism, with the country being recognised as a safe and friendly destination for international visitors, according to the General Statistics Office's January report released on Monday.

Most arrivals are via air routes (nearly 1.3 million, 85 per cent of the total), followed by entries by road (176,900, or 11.7 per cent), and by sea (48,400, or 3.2 per cent).

Of these, the majority of visitors in the first month still came from Asia with over 1.1 million, visitors from Europe reached over 216,000, and visitors from the Americas reached over 97,000, followed by Oceania and Africa.

South Korea remains the largest source market for Việt Nam tourism in January with 417,576 visitors, an increase of 112.2 per cent compared to the previous month and a 161.3 per cent increase compared to the same period last year.

China, which used to be the biggest source of foreign arrivals to Việt Nam in pre-pandemic times, is the second-largest source market for visitors in January with 242,181 visitors, up 103.4 per cent from the previous month and a staggering 1,525.5 per cent increase compared to the same period last year, signalling a recovery.

Taiwan (China) comes next with 84,213 visitors. The United States market ranks fourth with 75,651 visitors to Việt Nam in this period, up 128.9 per cent compared to the previous month and 97.1 per cent compared to the same period last year.

Notably, January witnessed remarkable growth in the Australian market as it rose to the fifth position with 62,100 visitors, more than 1.5 times the previous month (37,040 visitors). The Japanese market ranks sixth with 60,630 visitors.

Visitors from India continue to increase significantly with 46,136 visitors, rising to eighth position among the top 10 source markets for visitors to Việt Nam in January 2024.

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Foreign tourists taking a walk around the Hoàn Kiếm Lake, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hà Nội. — VNA/VNS Photo Tuấn Anh

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GSO report shows that the revenue from tourism in January 2024 is estimated at VNĐ4.4 trillion (over US$179 million), an 18.5 per cent increase compared to the same period last year.

Some localities with high growth rates include: Hà Nội (up by 24.4 per cent); HCM City (22.8 per cent); Đồng Nai (9.1 per cent); and Quảng Ninh (9 per cent).

Meanwhile, the revenue from accommodation and dining services in January 2024 is estimated at VNĐ58.9 trillion, an increase of 10.2 per cent compared to the same period last year. Some localities with high revenue growth include Đà Nẵng (29.9 per cent), HCM City (14.7 per cent), and Hà Nội (10.8 per cent).

In 2024, Việt Nam sets the goal of receiving 17-18 million international visitors, serving 110 million domestic tourists, and achieving total tourism revenue of around VNĐ840 trillion ($34.18 billion). The growth in the first month also is also an auspicious signal that the international arrivals target this year is entirely within reach.

The Việt Nam National Authority of Tourism stated that the entire tourism industry has actively provided recommendations on policies to facilitate the attraction of tourists. The National Assembly and the Government have approved new policies on granting electronic visas for citizens of all countries and territories, as well as extending the temporary residence period for countries unilaterally exempted from visas to 45 days. This is a crucial policy aimed at making a breakthrough in attracting international tourists to Việt Nam in the near future.

In 2023, Việt Nam received 12.6 million international visitors (against the initial target of 8 million, which was later revised to 12 million following China's reopening policies), while estimated total revenues from all tourism activities hits VNĐ678 trillion ($27.58 billion).

Recently, at the ASEAN Tourism Forum held in Laos' capital Vientiane last week, the organisers honoured and awarded the "Clean ASEAN Tourism City" prize for 2024 to 3 cities in Việt Nam: the coastal city Vũng Tàu, the ancient imperial city of Huế, and south-central beach town Quy Nhơn.

The "Clean ASEAN Tourism City" award is an annual ASEAN award aimed at honouring and developing high-quality tourism brands in the region. The award is given every two years in even-numbered years.

Experts evaluate registered cities based on 108 criteria in seven main categories of the award, including: environmental management, waste management, cleanliness, environmental protection awareness, green space, urban infrastructure safety and health, and tourism facilities. — VNS