Foreign tourists visit the old quarter of Hà Nội. The total number of foreign visitors coming to the capital in the first five months of the year reached 2.64 million, up by 51.9 per cent over the same period last year. — VNA/VNS Photo Minh Quyết

HÀ NỘI — A sharp increase in the number of tourists, particularly foreigners, coming to Hà Nội in May alone and in the first five months of the year is promising bright prospects for the capital's tourism sector.

A report from the Hà Nội Department of Tourism (DoT) has revealed the total number of tourists to the capital reached 2.37 million in May, an increase of 16.6 per cent over the same period last year.

The numbers helped lift up the city's total revenue from tourists to nearly VNĐ9.2 trillion (roughly US$360 million), an increase by 23.6 per cent over the same month of 2023, according to the report.

As in previous years, the peak of Hà Nội tourism season is from October to April thanks to favourable weather conditions. However, the fact that so many were visiting in May – a summer month in Hà Nội – was a good sign that the city's tourism sector can flourish all year round, the report said.

This month, among the total visitors to Hà Nội, the number of foreigners has been particularly marked, up 46.7 per cent to 500,000, while domestic visitors reached 1.88 million, up 10.6 per cent, said the department.

For the first five months of the year, the number of visitors was put at about 11.55 million, up by 14 per cent over the same period last year, of which, the number of foreign tourists reached 2.64 million, up by 51.9 per cent.

Hà Nôi earned around VNĐ45.86 trillion in total revenue from tourists in the first five months of 2024, an increase of 23 per cent over the same period last year.

While many economic fields have reported low growth rates, Hà Nội's tourism sector is continuously achieving good results. Many of its development targets have been met, with the city's system of service facilities, especially four or five star accommodation, shopping and dining experiences showing rapid improvements.

Many international travel agencies, organisations, businesses and experts have chosen Hà Nội as a candidate for prestige regional and world tourism and cultural awards.

The World Tourism Organisation (WTA) nominated Hà Nội for awards in two categories of Asia's Leading City Break Destination 2024 (short-term vacation destination in Asia's leading city) and Asia's Leading City Destination 2024 (Asia's top city destination).

Tripadvisor, the world's leading online travel platform, named the city the World's Leading Destination 2024 and World's Most Attractive Culinary Destination 2024.

Hà Nội has also improved and reformed its ways in organising and hosting large tourism promotion events, to attract group travel and business investments.

The city has invested in commercial professional marketing products, such as mapping and drone imagery, on digital media platforms, while Hà Nội's authority has promised to build tourism products, cooperate in tourism promotions and continue to develop the tourism market.

Hà Nội's tourism sector has pledged to strengthen inspections and checks in order to build a safe, friendly and civilised tourism environment, at the same time improve the services quality and attractiveness of the destinations across the area. — VNS