Mekong Delta tourist numbers surge

HCM CITY — The Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta has seen a big jump in the number of tourist arrivals in the first half of the year.

Kiên Giang Province reported a 21 per cent increase to more than 3.9 million visitors, including more than 300,000 foreigners, according to its Department of Tourism.

Tourism revenues were estimated at VNĐ3 trillion (US$131 million), up 37 per cent year-on-year.

The Hòn Thơm cable car between An Thới town and Hòn Thơm Island, Vinpearl Land and Safari Phú Quốc on Phú Quốc Island and Mũi Nai Beach in Hà Tiên Town were among the most popular destinations.

The province targets 7.6 million tourists this year and revenues of VNĐ6.3 trillion ($275.1 million).

In the first half of the year An Giang Province received 3.6 million visitors, up 5.4 per cent year-on-year, including 24,000 foreign tourists, according to its Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The Government has approved a master plan to develop Sam Mountain in the province into a unique spiritual and cultural site by 2025.

The site is expected to receive six million visitors by 2025 and seven million by 2030.

This year Đồng Tháp Province has seen a year-on-year increase of 5 per cent in the number of tourist arrivals to more than 1.8 million, including 40,000 foreigners, according to its People’s Committee.

Tourism revenues have been worth more than VNĐ380 billion ($16.5 million).

Cần Thơ has received 4.4 million tourists compared to 3.7 million in the same period last year, according to the city’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Revenues jumped to VNĐ1.8 trillion ($78.6 million) from VNĐ 1 trillion in the same period last year.

The city hopes to attract nine million visitors and earn revenues of VNĐ4 trillion ($174.6 million) this year.

To achieve the target, the city plans to organise a number of cultural and tourism activities such as the Cái Răng Floating Market Cultural and Tourism Fair, Eco-tourism Fair, and Ninh Kiều Flower Garlands and Lanterns Night. —VNS