Vietnam welcomes 15 millionth visitor

James Kopenec and his wife Hermine were welcomed with a spectacular celebration for the 15 millionth visitor

On December 19, at Halong International Passenger Terminal, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the Quang Ninh People’s Committee organised a ceremony to welcome the 15 millionth visitor.

The visitor was James Kopenec from the US, who visited Halong with his wife Hermine Kopenec. The couple, and over 3,000 visitors and crew members on The Celebrity Millennium cruise from the US’ Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines arrived to the terminal at 11 AM on December 19.

The 14,999,999th visitor and family

The welcoming ceremony was organised at the multifunctional room of Halong International Passenger Terminal, Vietnam’s first international passenger terminal.

“Since the 1 million visitor milestone in 1994, Vietnam has seen remarkable increases in the tourism sector. The 15 million visitor milestone is a particularly memorable milestone, showing that Vietnam is becoming an attractive destination for foreign visitors. It is also a premise to turn tourism into a key economic sector,” said Nguyen Ngoc Thien, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

James Kopenec, the lucky visitor, said, “Vietnam is really more beautiful than I thought, I am impressed with the nature and the friendly people. My wife said that Vietnamese people always welcome visitors and I cannot she is wrong.”

The travellers arriving on the cruise ship taking a look around the Halong International Passenger Terminal

Paul, a visitor from Capetown, South Africa, said, “Halong International Passenger Terminal is the most beautiful terminal I have ever visited.”

This year, Vietnam is stepping up tourism promotion activities. Vietnam is becoming more attractive in foreigners’ eyes due to its natural wonders, modern and synchronous infrastructure, and improved service quality, among others. With these advantages, Vietnam may very well welcome the 16 millionth visitor within the year.

The new Halong International Passenger Terminal is one of the boosters of tourism in Hanoi

2018 is also the National Tourism Year – Halong – Quang Ninh, and as of now Quang Ninh reports impressive achievements in luring tourists. According to the statistics published by the province’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in 2018 the province estimates welcoming 12.2 million visitors, up 24 per cent on-year, 5.22 million of whom are foreigners coming from 150 countries and territories. Revenue from the tourism sector is expected to reach VND23.6 trillion ($1.02 billion), up 32 per cent on-year.

The basis for the above estimates comes from the modern and synchronous transport system, Haiphong-Halong Expressway, Halong International Passenger Terminal, and Van Don International Airport, which is expected to go into commercial operations this month.