Vietnam’s tourism industry is booming now and is fast developing as a driving force behind the country’s economic growth. It is taking various measures to keep up with global standards.Published on : Thursday, March 29, 2018
Vietnam’s tourism industry is booming now and is fast developing as a driving force behind the country’s economic growth. It is taking various measures to keep up with global standards.
Last year, nearly 13 million foreign visitors came to Vietnam, earning the country more than Vietnamese dong (VND) 500 trillion (US$22 billion). Over the decade, the number of international visitors to Vietnam has tripled and revenue has increased by at least nine times.
Vietnam’s tourism ranked sixth among the top 10 fastest growing tourism destinations globally and it became the best performer in Asia in 2017. The tourism industry of Vietnam contributed 7.5 per cent to the nation’s GDP last year.
Tourism in Vietnam has been identified a key economic sector by 2020. It can help boost the development of other sectors including construction, real estate, retail, education and job opportunities
Vietnam aims to welcome 17-20 million foreign arrivals and 82 million domestic tourists by 2020. Tourism revenue is expected to reach $35 billion with creation of four million jobs, including 1.6 million direct jobs.
“Rapid increase in the number of visitors to Vietnam in the short term is putting the industry under great pressure of transport infrastructure, human resource and destination management capacity,” said Nguyen Quy Phuong, director of Travel Management Department under the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism.
Phuong said infrastructure deficiencies, particularly overloaded airports, are likely to make tourists worn out due to long waiting. In reality, airports in major cities such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hue and Da Nang, are facing the overload trouble.
“Urgent attention should be paid to upgrade of transport infrastructure, including seaports in the context of increasing demand for cruise tourism, as well as improvements in visa and immigration procedures,” Phuong said.
Tags: Vietnam tourism industry