According to the general Statistical Office, arrivals from China saw a year-on-year growth rate of 47.8 percent. The growth rate for arrivals from South Korea was 4.5 percent, the US some 7.1 percent, Japan 10.5 percent and Cambodia 67.3 percent.

Cambodia has recently surpassed Taiwan and Australia to become the fifth largest visitor-generating market for Vietnam's tourism.

The neighbouring countries China and Cambodia are responsible for one-third of the total number of international visitors at the moment with 1.16 million arrivals.

HCM City, the biggest tourism centre of the nation, recorded a lower growth in foreign tourists compared to the whole country. According to the city's Department of Culture, Sport and Tourism, HCM City has welcomed 2.12 million international visitors as of August, increasing by 10 percent against the same period in 2010.

The Saigon Times - September 1st, 2011