According to General Stastistics Office (GSO), the number of international arrivals to Vietnam in May 2012 was estimated 456,749, down by 25.8% in comparison with previous month and 4.4% over May 2011.

This is the first time in 2012, monthly international arrivals decreased as a result of low tourism season in Vietnam, economic recession and public debt crisis throughout the world.

However, total international arrivals in 5 months still reached 2,945,998  representing a 17.5% growth over the same period of 2011. Therefore, Vietnam tourism has completed more than 45% of the target to welcome 6.5 million international arrivals in 2012.

International arrivals from most of source markets achieved positive growth over same period last year, led by Russia with 56.3%, followed by South Korea (45.3%), Taiwan (27.3%), Thailand (25.6%), Malaysia (25.3%), Japan (23.6%), France (12.5%), China (10.3%), and USA (3.5%).

Hong Thanh (TITC)