The number of tourists to Hanoi in July reached nearly 1.2 million, soaring 51.2% compared to June as Vietnamese people feel safer to travel thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic put under control, according to data of the Hanoi Department of Tourism.

Visitors are seen entering Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam in Hanoi. Photo: Nhat Minh

The capital city has welcomed an estimated 1.18 million Vietnamese visitors since the start of this month, an increase of 51.6% against June.

The department informed that international tourists to Hanoi totaled 16,600 in July, up 26.9% month-on-month. Most of them are expats, diplomats, business executives and high-skilled laborers as Vietnam still bans foreign entry.

Revenue from domestic and inbound tourism was VND3.4 trillion (US$147 million), up 50.2% in July compared to the previous month.

In the first seven months of 2020, Hanoi welcomed an estimated 6.13 million visitors, down 63.3% from a year earlier. Of the amount, international arrivals are estimated at one million while the number of domestic tourists totaled 5.13 million. Revenue from tourism was VND22.4 trillion (US$969.2 million) in this seven-month period.

Deputy Director of the Hanoi Tourism Department Tran Trung Hieu said his agency will continue applying information technology in management of the tourism industry.

The department will request units, businesses, organizations, individuals in the tourism industry in the city to strictly implement regulations on Covid-19 prevention and control in the new situation.

In addition, the department will continue to monitor the situation of the pandemic that could affect the operation of tour operators, transporters, accommodation facilities and tourist destinations in the city.

Safety measures are expected to be enhanced at some places of interest and tourism events in Hanoi to prevent Covid-19 after the country reported 30 new coronavirus infection cases in the community in the last five days.