China Becomes Attractive Vietnamese Tourism Destination

China has become one of the most attractive tourism destinations for Vietnamese over the years, manifested by the increasing number of outbound tour bookings to China from local travel operators.

 

According to National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) statistics the number of Vietnamese travelers to China strongly increased in 2006.

 

Lam Tu Khoi, Vice Head of the Outbound Travel Department of Saigontourist, one of the biggest travel firms in Vietnam, said the company brought 6,000 Vietnamese and overseas Vietnamese to China last year, turning China into the most popular market for Saigontourist customers.

 

In the first two months of 2007, the number of Saigontourist customers visiting China grew by more than 30 per cent over the same period of 2006.

 

Many other travel companies also reported higher proportions of outbound tours to China in recent times.

 

China is forever linked to its ancient civilization, friendly people, and many of the world’s most revered treasures such as The Great Wall, Terra-Cotta Warriors & Horses and the Yangtze River. Today, one can also find spectacular architecture and the towering skylines in Shanghai and Beijing (site of the 2008 Summer Olympics), a wealth of luxury accommodations – and as always – exquisite cuisine.

 

“I found an unexpectedly pleasant surprise when I toured China last year. Its tourism service and promotion was wonderful,” a Vietnamese tourist said, hoping Vietnam’s tourism industry can learn from China.

 

To date, more than thirty attractions in China are listed as World Culture and Natural Heritage Sites. This makes the country more attractive.

 

It is predicted that China will remain the most attractive destination of Vietnamese tourists in 2007. (VietNamNet)