Around 410,000 foreign tourists visited Vietnam in July, bringing the total number of foreign visitors to the country in the January-July period to nearly over 2.9 million, 35 percent up year on year, reported the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT).

The number of travelers arriving in Vietnam for work increased by 46 percent, followed by vacationers, up more than 44 percent, according to VNAT.

Chinese tourist figures grew 95.4%, followed by Cambodia, 93%, Thailand 32% and South Korea over 31%.

HCM City attracted over 1.6 million tourists, making it the leading destination for tourists, up by 13% over the same period of 2009.

Tourism experts attributed the rise to the worldwide economic recovery that has boosted tourism.

Vietnam has organized tourism promotions and cultural exchanges in China, Japan, South Korea and Cambodia, as well as traveling promotions in Australia, Norway and West European countries. VNAT expects to reach its target of 4.5-4.6 million foreign tourists for 2010, a year-on-year increase of nearly 18 percent.

Travel agencies will continue their promotions and discount programs in August and September for a number of key tourism cities and provinces.

At the same time, Hanoi plans to organize tours to a number of ancient Vietnamese capitals, museums and also home stays to attract more visitors as it celebrates its 1,000th anniversary.

PV