Tourist arrivals to Hanoi up 10% in first half

Tourist arrivals to the capital city of Hanoi topped 13.19 million in the first half of this year, up 10% year-on-year, pushing up revenue by 9.3% annually to over VND39.2 trillion (US$1.74 billion).

According to the Hanoi Tourism Department, the number of foreign visitors to the capital city surpassed 3 million, marking a year-on-year increase of 26%. Meanwhile, domestic visitors rose by 6% to more than 10.1 million.

Foreign visitors were from about 190 countries and territories worldwide, especially those with high affordability such as Western and Eastern Europe, Australia, North America and Southeast Asia, with China, the Republic of Korea, Japan, France and the US remaining key markets.

Director of the department Tran Duc Hai said Hanoi tourism has proved itself as a major economic sector with stable growth, making effective contributions to the city’s shift in economic structure.

Despite positive outcomes, Hanoi is also meeting difficulties in maintaining its status as one of the most attractive destinations nationwide, including limited promotion activities and lack of large-scale entertainment areas and resorts to extend tourists’ stay.

Moreover, travel agencies are mostly on small scale with limited competitiveness and workforce sometimes failing to meet demand.

In the foreseeable future, the sector will improve the quality of destinations; develop cultural tourist products, focusing on cultural heritages and high-quality craft villages; and increase linkage with other cities and provinces with tourism potential. 

Tapping relations with international organisations, cities and provinces nationwide, the sector will seek support in building trademarks, marketing, training human resources and connecting tourist products.

It also aims to build Hanoi into a safe, friendly and civilised tourist destination.

This year, Hanoi is striving to welcome over 25.4 million tourists, including 5.5 million foreigners.

VNA