The tourism sector in Vietnam fetched VND205 trillion in 2011, accounting for 9.2 percent of the country’s GDP, while providing jobs for 402,000 local people, according to a report from the World Trade & Tourism Council.

The Vietnam travel companies are predicted to earn more than VND390 trillion in 2021, making up 9.3 percent of the national GDP, and employ as many as 509,000 workers.

Foreign investment in tourism stood at VND90 trillion in 2011 and is forecast to reach VND163 trillion in 2021.

The World Trade & Tourism Council ranked the Vietnamese tourism sector 57th out of 181 nations in terms of general development, 83rd in its contributions to the national GDP, and 17th for its long-term growth prospects