According the Vietnam’s General Statistics Office, international arrivals to the country reached more than 4.7 million in the first half of 2016, a year-on-year increase of 21.3 per cent – reported Viet Nam News.

Strong growth was seen in the number of tourists from Asian countries such as mainland China, Thailand, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Laos.

Growth was also recorded in the number of tourists from Italy, the UK, Spain, the Netherlands, as well as Russia, Germany and France.

The General Statistics Office’s figures also indicated growth in the domestic tourism sector with a revenue increase of 22.1 per cent year-on-year.

Vietnam is considered one of the fastest growing tourism destinations in Southeast Asia, driven by the entrance of international hoteliers, an improved visa policy and investment in key infrastructure.

Source:
http://vietnamnews.vn/economy/298829/tourism-to-vn-grows-21-per-cent-to-47m.html#KmToTTgKKI20mTXW.97

Commentary by Nga Bui, Education Services Manager

According the Training Department, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MoCST), the 165 tourism training facilities across the country generate around 20,000 graduates per year.

However, there is a large shortage of qualified candidates for senior positions such as managing director, international relations, marketing director, and operational heads.  It often takes a long time to for a new incumbent to fully deliver their job.

MoCST has emphaised the need of capacity building for tourism training institutions to prepare highly qualified human resources for the sector’s regional and international integration.

Students survey results of the British Council Vietnam’s last two education exhibitions in October 2015 and March 2016 showed that ‘Travel, Tourism and Hospitality’ became the second top choice by students.

UK institutions are advised to highlight Tourism and Hospitality in their marketing activities targeting Vietnamese student and scoping visits to local institutions for partnership in capacity building and joint training programmes.