These figures were released at a preliminary meeting held by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to discuss ministerial activities during the first half.

Vietnam welcomed 3.5 million foreign arrivals in the six-month period, up 2.6% year on year. The number of domestic tourists was estimated at 24 million, up 12%.

In June alone, the number of 567,291 international visitors came to Vietnam, up 1.5% compared to the previous month, and a year-on-year increase of 29.9%.

Culture, sports and tourism activities to celebrate national holidays were held to serve people spiritual lives. The cultural identity and the traditional values of the festivals were carefully preserved to attract both domestic and international tourists.

In the last six months, Vietnam sent delegates in preparation for a wide range of international sporting events including 2013 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, World Games, Asian Youth Games, SEA Games 27, and ASIAD 2014.

For the remaining months of the year, the Ministry urged local authorities to focus on tourism development. They should implement the master plan to develop Vietnam tourism by 2020 and the national action plan on tourism for 2013-2020. It is also important to enhance tourism quality and travel service products, while encouraging environmental tourism and implementing tourism stimulus programmes.