Vietnam welcomed over 49,200 international arrivals between January and February, up 71.7 percent year-on-year, thanks to pilot tourism programs and the resumption of several regular flights, the country’s General Statistics Office reported on Monday.
According to the General Statistics Office, in the period, foreign visitors entering the country by air accounted for 87.8 percent of the total, followed by road with 12.1 percent and sea routes with 0.1 percent. Most of the arrivals were from Asia (66.5 percent), according to the office.
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Vietnam has suspended the entry of all foreigners since March 22, 2020, until further notice to limit the spread of COVID-19. The measure does not apply to diplomats, officials, foreign investors, experts, skilled workers, and those on designated and approved tour packages.
The country is working to fully reopen its border to international arrivals from March 15 after announcing the removal of all restrictions on flight frequency since Feb. 15. It has been piloting quarantine-free tourism programs to welcome back international travelers since November last year.
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Vietnam hosted just 157,300 international arrivals in 2021, plunging 95.9 percent year-on-year, due to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, said the General Statistics Office.