Last year, the city received a total of 4.4 million foreign visitors, accounting for 53 per cent of the number of international visitors to Viet Nam. — Photo petrotimes.vn

HCM CITY (VNS) — More than 412,000 foreigners visited HCM City in January, a year-on-year increase of 8 per cent, according to figures released by municipal People's Committee.

Total revenue from the city's tourism sector in January amounted to VND7.8 trillion (US$366 million), up 7 per cent compared with the same period last year.

Last year, the city received a total of 4.4 million foreign visitors, accounting for 53 per cent of the number of international visitors to Viet Nam.

Total revenue of the city's tourism sector, including revenue of travel agencies and the hospitality industry, was estimated at VND86 trillion ($4.04 billion), representing 34 per cent of Viet Nam's tourism sector last year.

To further sustainable development of the tourism industry, HCM City has signed regional alliances with neighbouring provinces and countries and diversified tourist services.

In addition, it has launched the programme "The city's tourism sector has responsibility for the environment".

The city has also planned more cultural and entertainment activities to enhance its regional reputation as a major tourism destination.

City authorities will also launch tourism promotions and work with localities in Viet Nam and countries in the region to enhance tourism cooperation.

The promotions include improvements of periodic cultural and tourist events, such as International Tourism Expo 2015, annual tourist festivals, and the launch of inland waterway tours and art shows for tourists.

The city targets 4.7 million foreign visitors and 19.3 million local tourists this year, which would bring an estimated total revenue of VND98.26 trillion ($4.61 billion). —VNS