(Illustrative photo)

The Vietnam General Statistics Office reports that Vietnam welcomed 870,000 foreign arrivals in January, 23% more than last December. The tourists are mainly from South Korea, the US, Japan, India, and Southeast Asian countries.

Dao Thi Nga, a representative of the Little Charm Hanoi Hostel, said: “Our guests come from the Netherlands, the UK, France, South Korea, and China. In peak months, the hostel is fully booked, with 150 guests per day.”

To meet the increasing demands by foreign tourists for accommodations, services, and sightseeing, the tourism sector needs to renew its mindset and method, said Vu The Binh, Chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association.

“Attracting foreign tourists is an important goal. We need new products and suitable services. The market has changed. Both nearby and distant markets are important,” said Binh.

This year the Vietnamese tourism sector is preparing to welcome delegations from ASEAN countries, attending the Vietnam International Tourism Mart (VITM) in Hanoi and HCMC, events of the National Tourism Year 2023 in Binh Thuan province, the Hue Festival, and other events. These activities are expected to open new cooperation opportunities between countries, connect businesses, and expand markets.