During the first 11 months, the nation attracted 1.72 million Chinese arrivals, 34.1 per cent higher than the same period last year.— Photo baoquangninh

HA NOI (Biz Hub)— The total foreign visitors in the first 11 months of this year increased 10.2 per cent to 6.85 million against the same period last year, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).

More than 5.41 million arrived by air, up 7 per cent year-on-year, while over 183,500 arrived by sea.

Over 4.2 million arrivals came to Viet Nam as tourists, up 12.1 per cent year-on-year.

Meanwhile the number of foreigners entering the country for business and visiting relatives was over 1.15 million (up 8.3 per cent) and 1.14 million (up 8.7 per cent), respectively.

During the first 11 months, the nation attracted 1.72 million Chinese arrivals, 34.1 per cent higher than the same period last year and 682,900 South Korean visitors, up 7.4 per cent.

After a reduction in foreign arrivals in 2009 due to the impact of the world economic downturn, the number of foreign arrivals to Viet Nam has trended upwards since 2010, said the office.

The number of foreign visitors to Viet Nam reached 3.74 million in 2009 and increased to 5.05 million in 2010, 6.25 million in 2011 and 6.85 million in 2012.

The tourism industry saw a growth rate of 22.3 per cent for the period 2010-12 regarding the number of foreign visitor arrivals.

This year, the number was expected to surge to 7.4 million from 6.85 million last year, the office said.

The increase in number of foreign arrivals has also brought the total value for the tourism service up.

The global economic recovery coupled with the rising number of foreign arrivals in Viet Nam was considered a promising sign by the industry.

The total tourism services export value was expected to gain 15.6 per cent on last year with returns jumping to $7.9 billion this year. An average of expenditure per foreign visitor would reach US$1,067 this year. — VNS