Tourism sector brings Russian market into focus

The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) will focus its promotion programme in 2010 on the Russian market, said a VNAT official at the opening ceremony of the Moscow International Tourism Expo 2010 on March 17.
According to Deputy Director of Department of Tourism Market under VNAT Nguyen Thanh Vuong, Vietnam received 50,000 Russian visitors in 2009 and expects to welcome 100,000 in 2010.
The Moscow International Tourism Expo 2010 attracted 130 tourism and travel businesses from 77 countries. Vietnam sent representatives of 24 enterprises and two local tourism management departments to the event.
Vietnam’s booth at the expo named “Vietnam, the Hidden Charm” attracted crowds on the opening day, who queued up to get brochures and souvenirs as well as to try the country’s traditional dishes on offer.
Deputy Director of the Binh Thuan Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism was busy receiving visitors. She said that Mui Ne sand dunes and beaches as well as other resorts in the province have become popular among Russian travellers.
In 2009, Binh Thuan welcomed 40,000 Russian tourists and the number has reached 25,000 so far this year.