The Vietnamese tourist industry has finally seen the light at the end of the tunnel in its bid to win back international tourists, with foreign arrival numbers in July increasing for the first time in a 13-month stretch.

Foreign visitors travel on cyclos along the iconic Han River in Da Nang

Viet Nam’s international tourist numbers reached 593,600 in July, up 12.1% compared to June, and 5.1% from the same month last year.

Viet Nam received far fewer tourists from several Asian markets in the seven-month period, while enjoying a surge from some European markets, apparently because of the visa-free policy that took effect on July 1.

Waiving visas is among many measures Viet Nam has put in place in an effort to lure international visitors, at a time when its tourist industry is hamstrung by complaints over costly visa fees, rip-offs, pollution and poor services.

(Source: tuoitrenews)