The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the HCM City Tourism Association on December 21 organized a welcoming ceremony for the three millionth foreign visitor to the city this year.
Nguyen Thi Hong, deputy chairwoman of the city People’s Committee, attended the welcome ceremony held at the Tan Son Nhat International Airport.
Nina Fedorava, was the lucky visitor who originates from Russia. She flew into Vietnam on flight VN526, from Vietnam Airlines.
This is the first time Ms. Nina Fedorave and her husband have come to Vietnam. She was very pleased to come to Vietnam and expressed her pleasure to the city leaders. She hopes to return to Vietnam soon.
According to La Quoc Khanh, deputy director of the department, the city is expected to welcome 3.1 million foreign arrivals this year, an increase of 20 percent over last year.
The city targeted 2.8 million foreign tourists this year but the real figure has exceeded three million.
During November, the city’s tourism has seen a growth with 250,000 extra tourists, an increase of 38% as compared to the same period last year.
During the last 11 months, the city has received 2,850,000 foreign visitors, an increase of 22% over last year’s figures, achieving 102% of the target in 2010.
The city’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism hope to receive 3.5 million foreign visitors, an increase of 11%, with a total turnover of VND49 trillion (US$2.4 trillion), an increase of 20% for the year 2011.
