Vietnam is estimated to host more than 369,000 international arrivals in January, a year-on-year rise of 9.5 percent, according to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) on Tuesday.

 

Among the arrivals, the number of business visitors surged most, by 28.3 percent to nearly 50,100, and that of tourists rose 18.5 percent to roughly 236,000.

 

South Korea was Vietnam's biggest tourism market this month with nearly 48,500 visitors, followed by the United States with more than 41,500 and China with roughly 40,700.

 

To lure more foreign visitors, Vietnam is intensifying investment in fostering tourism promotion abroad, training personnel, especially tourist guides, and developing tourism infrastructure nationwide.

 

The country is tapping such traditional markets as China, Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, North America, Western Europe and Eastern Europe.

 

Vietnam is eyeing 4.2-4.4 million foreign visitors and 18.5 million domestic visitors in 2007, and tourism revenues of US$2.5 billion, the VNAT said, adding that the country targets 5.5-6 million international arrivals and 25-26 million domestic visitors, and total tourism revenues of US$4-4.5 billion in 2010.

 

The country welcomed nearly 3.6 million foreign visitors in 2006, up from nearly 3.5 million in 2005. Meanwhile, it hosted 17. 5 million domestic visitors, up 9.4 percent, said the VNAT.

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 31, 2007)