Tourism revenue soars on post-pandemic recovery

Vietnam's tourism revenue hit VND11.9 trillion ($509 million) in the first seven months of the year, a 2.7-fold increase year-on-year thanks to the sector's robust recovery.

Localities that recorded a surge in tourism revenue year-on-year included Khanh Hoa (858%), Can Tho (328%), Danang (285%), Hanoi (217%), and Ho Chi Minh City (111%), according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).

Revenue from accommodation and catering services was estimated at VND324.9 trillion ($13.89 billion), up 37.5%.

The number of international visitors to Vietnam reached 352,600 in July, which marks peak summer holiday season, up 49% month-on-month and 47.2 times year-on-year.

In the first seven months, the country received 954,600 international visitors, 10 times year-on-year, but down 90.3% compared to the same period in pre-pandemic 2019. Of this, 87% arrived by air.

South Korea accounted for 20.5% of international arrivals in Vietnam during the period, double that of the U.S which was followed by Cambodia.

Vietnam's tourism was most searched on Google by people from South Korea, the U.S., Australia, India, and Singapore.

According to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, the country has set the target of serving about 65 million visitors this year, including 60 million domestic tourists and five million foreigners.

This means the country had fulfilled less than 20% of the year's international visitor target.

About 80% of domestic flights have been restored, but only 40% of international routes linking with the country have resumed compared to pre-pandemic levels, the Vietnam Civil Aviation Authority (CAAV) reported.