Tourist attractions cash in on National Day holidays

Ho Chi Minh City received an estimated 960,000 visitors, up 4.3%, and its room occupancy rate was 80%, according to statistics from its Department of Tourism.

Its revenues from tourism are estimated at VND2.8 trillion (US$116.17 million), a 5.5% increase.

Last year too Vietnamese enjoyed a four-day break for National Day.

The city's neighbor Ba Ria-Vung Tau, home to beach city Vung Tau, welcomed 535,000 visitors, up 37%, and earned revenues of VND298 billion, a 29% increase.

Khanh Hoa, home to resort cities Nha Trang and Cam Ranh, raked in revenues of VND662 billion, up 14%.

The central beach city of Da Nang saw 254,000 visitors, up 6.3%, and its revenues rose slightly to over VND915 billion.

In the north, Hanoi and some other top attractions also enjoyed a tourism boom.

The capital received 640,000 visitors, a 51% rise, and its revenues were up 54% at over VND2 trillion.

There were 320,000 visitors to Thanh Hoa Province, a 26.6% increase, who spent VND663 billion, up 30%.

Neighboring Nghe An Province received 270,000 visitors, up 35%.

Quang Ninh, home to UNESCO heritage site Ha Long Bay, welcomed 300,000 visitors, up 64%, and earned nearly VND500 billion, a 50% rise.

Mountain town Sa Pa received over 300,000 visitors, a 167% jump, and Ninh Binh welcomed 222,000 tourists, up 47.5%.

But Phu Quoc Island received only 62,000 visitors, down 26.5% from last year.

Due to bad weather, boat and ferry services to Vietnam's largest island and nearby Nam Du and Hon Son islands were suspended during the holidays.

Can Tho, famous for its Cai Rang floating market, received only 180,000 visitors, down 4% from last year.

Under the impact of Typhoon Saola, which weakened after making landfall over China’s Guangdong Province, southern and central Vietnam received heavy downpours during the holidays.