The number of foreign tourists to Vietnam in the first 11 months of 2018 is estimated at over 14 million, up 23.1 percent from the same period last year, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).

Vietnam’s Jan-Nov tourist numbers rose to 14.1 million, compared to 11.6 million recorded in the same period in 2017.

Among the 14 million foreign visitors, 77.8 percent were from Asia, mainly China and South Korea.

Notably, the number of South Korean visitors to Vietnam in the 11-month period increased as much as 46.6 percent year on year. In the meantime, visitors from Europe only increased 8.7 percent year-on-year.

The visa-free policy Vietnam grants to tourists from five European nations, which was extended by three years in July, continues to lure more holidaymakers from these markets to the country.

Particularly, visitors from the UK rose 5.2 percent, France 9.9 percent, Germany 6.8 percent, Spain 12.9 percent, and Italy 13.1 percent.

During the Jan-Nov period, the number of foreigners visiting Vietnam by air and road increased by 15.3 percent and 64.4 percent, respectively, while arrivals by sea went down by 11.3 percent.

With the strong performance in the 11-month period, Vietnam is expected to easily meet its target of welcoming 15 million foreign visitors in 2018. Total tourism numbers last year were 13 million.

The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism said it will continue to push tourism promotion activities abroad in the last month of 2018.

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