Published:  21:17 Tuesday - December 13, 2011

The Vietnamese tourism sector with an impressive growth pace is likely to receive the 6 millionth international visitor by the end of 2012, according to officials of the General Department of Tourism.

The officials say that the sector is preparing to hold a ceremony to welcome the 6 millionth international visitor in Halong City, Quang Ninh Province.

In the last few months of 2011, the Vietnamese tourism sector saw the positive signs of a good business year. This is reflected not only by the number of international visitors to the country but also the receipts.

According to the officials, Vietnamese tourism has benefited much from tourist promotion programmes at home and overseas and tourist events, especially the Carnival Week in Ha Long Bay, the 2011 International Firework Competition in Da Nang City, the Maritime Tourism Week in Khanh Hoa and a series of events of the National Tourism Year in southern central coastal provinces.

China keeps leading the number of international tourists to Vietnam with over 1.2 million, up by 49 per cent year on year.

At this point, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is actively drawing up the plan for the 2012 National Tourism Year with attractive cultural and tourist programmes and events across the country.

Source: PANO