International visitors take a cyclo tour around HCM City. VNA/VNS Photo Hồng Đạt

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam welcomed more than 1.5 million international visitors in February, an increase of 1.3 per cent compared to the previous month and 64.1 per cent compared to the same period last year, the General Statistics Office (GSO) has reported.

Figures from the GSO showed that international arrivals to Việt Nam in the first two months of this year reached over three million people, an increase of 68.7 per cent compared to the same period last year, equivalent to 98.5 per cent compared to the pre-COVID-19 pandemic years.

Of the total number of international visitors to Việt Nam, air travellers accounted for 84.2 per cent, 1.6 times higher than in 2023, road travellers accounted for 12.8 per cent, and sea travellers accounted for three per cent.

Revenue from accommodation and dining services increased by 14 per cent. Inbound tourism revenue is estimated to reach VNĐ9 trillion (US$365.2 million), up 35.8 per cent compared to the same period last year.

Revenue in the first two months of 2024 of some localities increased compared to the same period last year. Specifically, Hà Nam was on the top with an increase of 88 per cent, followed by Đà Nẵng with 86.3 per cent, Hà Nội 49.8 per cent, HCM City 23 per cent, and Quảng Ninh 21.5 per cent.

These are the results of favourable visa policies, tourism stimulus programmes, as well as the efforts of the Government, tourism enterprises and people in promoting and boosting tourism.

The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism stated that since August 15, 2023, Việt Nam has officially issued e-visas to citizens of all countries, extended the temporary residence period from 30 days to 90 days, and extended the temporary residence period from 15 days to 45 days for citizens of visa-exempt countries entering Việt Nam.

Visa policies have been a sharp tool to enhance competitiveness, creating favourable conditions for international visitors to come to Việt Nam. The increase in the number of international arrivals to Việt Nam in the last months of 2023 contributed to the achievement of receiving 12.6 million international visitors throughout the year, nearly 3.5 times higher than in 2022.

In January 2024 alone, Việt Nam received more than 1.5 million international visitors, equivalent to the same period of 2019.

Việt Nam has been highly appreciated by international media. The world's leading travel magazine, Lonely Planet, has proposed ten top attractive destinations for graduates. Việt Nam is included in this list, ranking in fifth position.

The Travelers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best by the world's leading online travel platform, Tripadvisor, has announced the list of the top ten beaches in Asia. An Bàng Beach ranks fifth and Mỹ Khê Beach ranks sixth. This is a prestigious award to honour the top destinations voted by the community over the past 12 months.

Recently, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính has issued a directive to require relevant units to continue studying and expanding flexible visa policies.

In Directive 08 on comprehensive, rapid and sustainable tourism development, PM Chính acknowledged Việt Nam’s tourism is developing increasingly strongly, making important contributions to socio-economic development and enhancing the country's image and position.

However, PM Chính said Việt Nam's tourism still has limitations and challenges that need to be overcome. Mechanisms, policies and laws needed to continue to be revised, supplemented and improved to adapt to the new context.

Spending on shopping, entertainment services and other tourism services remained low; tourism service prices were not stable, especially during peak seasons; tourism businesses remained passive in building and providing products for customers; and promotion and advertising of tourism lacked comprehensive and long-term vision.

Meanwhile, global tourism demand is changing, focusing on new values ​​established on the basis of traditional cultural values, natural values, creative and high-tech values. Adverse impacts from political instability, conflicts, natural disasters, slow economic growth and increasingly fierce competition requires the tourism industry and business community to truly innovate their thinking, he said.

PM Chính requested all sectors, localities and associations, as well as businesses in the tourism sector to implement Directive 08 to promote comprehensive, rapid and sustainable tourism development in Việt Nam. — VNS