VietNamNet Bridge – According to the National Administration of Tourism (NAT) under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST), the tourism sector plans to receive 8 million international tourists, serve 37.5 million domestic tourists and earn VND230 billion (US$10.8 million) in 2014.

First visitors to Viet Nam in 2014.

MCST, agencies, localities and businesses worked together in 3013 to take measures and mobilize resources effectively to fulfill the set tasks outstandingly.

The number of foreign arrivals increased after decreasing in the first months while that of local tourists was maintained stable. Numerous large-scale tourism events were held to promote local must-see destinations.

In 2013, tourism promotion programmes focussed on quality and effectiveness. The NAT joined many international tourism events and organized various promotional activities across the country.

These activities contributed to increasing the number of international tourists to Viet Nam and that of tourists from traditional markets. Projects outlined in the national action plan on tourism were actively implemented while market research and product development were enhanced.

However, the sector’s development is not yet sustainable when its competitive capacity remains unimproved. Integrating comprehensively into the region and the world will be challenged by further difficulties and fiercer competition predicted in the coming years.

MCST has devised a plan for 2014, based on the strategy and the master plan on developing tourism to 2020, with a vision to 2030 and the national action plan on tourism in 2013-2020.

It will focus on improving tourism product and service quality, addressing the sector’s shortcomings and organizing successfully the National Tourism Year 2014 in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong and other regional provinces, as well as preparing for the National Tourism Year 2015 in central Thanh Hoa province.It also plans to fulfill tourism development targets set for 2015 in 2014.

MCST has made a suggestion to Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung about building a resolution to promote tourism in 2014-2020, which is expected to create a breakthrough in tourism development professionally.

In 2013, Viet Nam received 7,572,352 international tourists, a 10.6% rise over 2012, bringing VND200 trillion (US$9.4 billion) for the state coffer. Most of international markets have seen increases: Russia – 71.1%, China – 33.5%, Thailand – 19.3%, New Zealand – 16.3%, Indonesia – 15.7%, Belgium – 14.1% and Malaysia – 13.5%.

Source: VGP