Vietnam Set to Attract 5 Mln Foreign Tourist Arrivals in 2009

Vietnam has set a target of welcoming five million foreign and 21.5 million local tourists this year despite negative impacts of the global economic slowdown.

 

Vietnam has announced a host of solutions in an effort to attract more tourists in the years to come amidst the global economic downturn.

 

Vietnam will reduce prices of air tickets, hotel services and souvenirs, with the national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines being the pioneer in lowering airfares.

 

The country will also host a series of festivities, including the Year of Tourism in the Central Highlands that features celebrations of Dalat city as well as flower, gong, coffee and wine festivals.

 

This year will also see an international fireworks competition in the central city of Danang, the Nha Trang Sea Festival in central Khanh Hoa province, days of Mekong-Japan culture and tourism in Can Tho city, the third Asia Indoor Games, a food and hotel fair in Ho Chi Minh City and a joint program to promote tourism in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia in HCM City.

 

Next year visitors will have the opportunity to join in the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi, the Hue Festival, and the Miss World pageant in Khanh Hoa province, as well as international film, puppetry and circus festivals.

 

In 2008, Vietnam received around 4.7 million international tourist arrivals and failed to fulfill the set target of receiving 5 million foreign tourists and earning total revenues of VND56 trillion, or US$3.5 billion.

 

The tourism sector now contributes 8 per cent to Vietnam’s national GDP. (VietNamNet)