Compared to the same period last year, the city saw a 14.3% increase in international visitors.

According to statistics reported by Zing, the number of foreign tourists arriving in Saigon in the first nine months of 2019 reached 73% of the year’s goal. This number has helped contribute to a 7.3% increase in total revenue for the tourism sector, which is worth VND108.3 trillion.

In September of this year alone, the city saw 692,000 international arrivals, a 35% increase compared to last September. Total revenue for the month was VND12.2 billion (US$528,000).

The deputy chairman of the HCMC People’s Committee also recently announced that the city will spend VND140 million on a plan to welcome the eight-millionth visitor, expected to arrive at Tan Son Nhat Airport in December, according to Thanh Nien. This lucky visitor will receive flowers and gifts from the city’s tourism department and association.

The municipal Tourism Department, meanwhile, said that they feel positive about the city’s progress in achieving development goals and objectives. In September, the department opened inspections on 72 travel agencies, 14 tour guides and 89 accommodation services and found 30 violations.

There is an increase in the monthly usage of information services for tourists this year, and the tourism department and city authorities are aiming to build a smart, interactive tourist map through partnerships with relevant entities in the hope of improving service quality, the news source adds.