The tourism sector sets a target of welcoming around 4.5 million foreign visitors in 2010, representing an increase of 20% over this year, said Nguyen Van Tuan, Director General of Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT).
To reach the target, Tuan said the VNAT will coordinate with relevant agencies to implement tourism promotion programmes, including a VND25 billion (USD1.35 million) national action programme on tourism focusing on activities to develop tourism products and human resources and a national tourism promotion programme with an estimated investment of VND25 billion.
Vietnam expects to receive about 400,000 foreign visitors in December, raising the total number of foreign arrivals to the country this year to 3.9 million, down over 10% compared to the previous year.
However, the number of domestic tourists is estimated to increase 19% to 25 million.
The country’s total tourism revenue in 2009 is expected to reach VND68-70 trillion (about USD3.7 billion), increasing 10% over last year.
Foreign arrivals to HCMC, the country’s largest economic hub, also fell 10% to over 2.5 million, equivalent to 84% of the city’s yearly plan.
The city strives to attract more than 3.5 million foreign visitors and 10 million domestic tourists in 2010.