Tourism- "on-the-spot export"

One of the most effective ways to market Vietnam to the world is let foreigners directly see historical relics, culture, landscape, people and the change of Vietnam in Vietnam.

This is a form of ”on-the-spot export”, which brings foreign currencies to the country, creates jobs for many labourers and helps advertise Vietnam to the world.

Vietnam has many advantages to attract foreign tourists: many historical and cultural relics, natural landscapes that are recognised in the world, social-economic development which is praised internationally, political and social stability, open policies, and advantage in terms of exchange rates.

Thanks to these advantages, the country drew over nearly 2.62 million foreign visitors in the January-July period, up by 6.6% year on year, the highest number so far.

There were 26 countries and territories which sent over 10,000 visitors to Vietnam in this period, including China, South Korea, the US, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, Thailand, France and Malaysia.

Some countries and territories had higher numbers of visitors coming to Vietnam compared to the same period of 2007, such as Finland, the Philippines, Norway, Thailand, Singapore, Sweden, Malaysia, Russia, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Denmark and Taiwan.

In the first half of 2008, the total spending of international tourists in Vietnam is estimated at $1.95 billion, accounting for 56.7% of total service export value and 14% up year on year.

As far as the tourists go, 19.3% came to Vietnam for business, an increase of 28.4% over the corresponding period of 2007. Overseas Vietnamese who returned to visit their relatives numbered over 348,000, a reduction of 3%.

Regarding means of transport, visitors coming to Vietnam by air numbered the greatest, followed by those coming by land and sea.

It is forecast that around 4.5 million foreign visitors will come to Vietnam this year, bringing in nearly $4 billion, double the total disbursed ODA volume.

Yet, the number of foreign tourists coming to Vietnam tended to decrease from February to June, with 441,000 in February, nearly 425,000 in March, 411,000 in April, 382,000 in May and nearly 320,000 in June.

The ratio of foreign visitors per 100 residents in Vietnam is low in comparison to other countries, with 5 international visitors/100 residents.

The tourism industry will have to exert more effort in training tourist guides, building hotels, and perfecting tourist sites to improve its “on-the-spot export” capability.