Mộc Bài border gate of Tây Ninh Province has seen an increase in the number of Cambodian tourists. — Photo tuoitre.vn

HCM CITY — Since the beginning of this year, Việt Nam has been drawing a large number of Cambodian tourists apart from those who only come for medical check-ups.

Mộc Bài border gate of Tây Ninh Province has welcomed nearly 200,000 tourists among the total of 390,000 Cambodians entering Việt Nam.

“Cambodians used to come here solely for medical purposes, but recently there is a rise in those who come to travel. They enjoy going to beaches, such as Vũng Tàu and Nha Trang,” said Trương Đức Hải, director of Orient Pearl Travel Co., Ltd.

He also said that it is essential for Việt Nam’s medical tourism to have professional tours by connecting with prestigious hospitals.

Phạm Ngọc Hà, deputy general director of Saco Travel, said that the majority of Cambodian tourists have a fairly short stay-in time, so travel agencies are focusing on improving service quality.  

They also have been requesting provinces bordering Cambodia to simplify entry procedures, as they are still time-consuming.

Director of Tây Ninh Tourism Promotion Center Trần Quốc Thịnh said that the province has the potential to attract visitors due to having three main border gates and ten sub-gates contiguous with three Cambodian provinces.

Visitors from Cambodia flock to the province every year, especially on weekends and holiday seasons to mainly visit pagodas and Núi Bà mountain. Núi Bà mountain has also been receiving investment to open more tours and travel programs, boosting local tourism.

This is an incentive for local accommodations and restaurants to upgrade their service and enhance customer experience, Thịnh said.

Since last year, the province has been organising a number of programs promoting tourism between them and Cambodia, according to the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Enterprises from both countries will also join hands to boost tourism and develop tourism products. — VNS