HCMC welcomed almost 1.5 million foreign tourists in the first five months of the year, representing 49% of the yearly plan, said Dong Thi Kim Vui, Director of HCMC Tourism Department.

The city’s five-month tourism turnover reached VND 14.6 trillion, a year-on-year rise of 40% and representing 53% of the yearly plan, she said.

International holiday-makers to the city mainly came from the US, Japan, Taiwan (China), the Republic of Korea, Australia, China, France, Singapore, Canada and Malaysia. In particular, the number of Chinese, Singaporean and Malaysian tourists rose by over 30% compared with the same period last year.

On June 2 alone, cruise ship Costa Allerga brought 1,200 tourists and crew to the Sai Gon Port.

The city is expected to welcome 3 million foreign tourists this year.