Japanese tourist becomes three-millionth visitor

With flower and a souvenir o­n her hands, Wakana said this was her third visit to Vietnam. Vietnam is attractive to many holidaymakers as the Vietnamese people are friendly, she said.

She further said the country is a safe destination, offering delicious food specialities, fine handicrafts and diverse health and beauty services, which attract an increasing number of Japanese visitors.

Speaking at the welcome ceremony, Dr. Pham Tu, Deputy General Director of the Vietnam Tourism Administration (VTA), said, "It was by chance that the three millionth visitor to Vietnam this year is a tourist from Japan, a  market with a sharply increasing number of visitors to Vietnam, expected to surpass the target of 300,000.

It was by chance and also very natural that the destination where she arrived is Ho Chi Minh City, the tourist site welcoming the largest number of foreign visitors to the country and being the most popular destination in Vietnam among Japanese holidaymakers".

Ho Chi Minh City welcomes about 60% of the Japanese who visit Vietnam, with an average volume of more than 900 Japanese visitors per day, the official added.

Nguyen Huu Tin, Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, said he hoped that Japanese tourists would have unforgettable and peaceful days in Vietnam and that the country's natural landscapes and local people's hospitality would please them.