According to a new United Nations report, Vietnam named among world’s fastest growing travel destinations, and the country’s 2016 visitor numbers rose at one of the fastest rates in the world. This newest report prove that Vietnam’s tourism industry is moving in the right direction.
Vietnam’s tourism ranked as seventh growth of tourism in the world in a global report published this week by the United Nations World Tourism Organization. The country also was the only destination in Southeast Asia to make the top 10. Indonesia, the second in ASEAN, was ranked in 20th place.
Last year Vietnam welcomed 10 millions foreign visitors, rose 26 percent and set a recor d, earning the tourism industry VND 400 trillion ($17.6 billion). Within first 6 months of 2017, foreign arrivals to the country increased 30 percent with same time last year, up to 6.2 millions, according to the General Statistics Office.
Hanoi also is recommended for its amazing food experience by The Telegraph, while Ho Chi Minh City has cracked various lists of top destinations for solo and retiree travelers. Both cities were named among the world’s fastest growing destinations by MasterCard last year, and more recently by Price of Travel as on of the cheapest cities for backpackers.
With visa exemptions policies for big markets in Asia and Europe, as well as a new fast and convenient e-visa system, the country hopes to welcome 17-20 million foreign visitors and make $35 billion per year from tourism by 2020, contributing 10 percent to the country’s economy, compared to the current 7.5 percent.
A brand new tourism development fund have been approved by top lawmakers to boost tourism, which will be sourced from visa fees and an annual budget of $2.5 million the government sets aside for tourism promotions every year.
Read more: Vietnam To Enter Top 10 Most Popular Destination For Chinese Tourists