According to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), the remarkable increase in the number of foreign visitors to Vietnam, especially those from APEC member economies, was attributed to the country's hosting the 14th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in November with many cultural and artistic activities to promote Vietnam and its people.

The Republic of Korea topped the list with 378,300 tourists, an increase of 29 percent. It was followed by the US with 351,300 arrivals (15.7 percent); Japan with 347,800 arrivals (14.3 percent); Australia with 152,300 arrivals (13.9 percent); and Thailand with 108,400 arrivals (38.4 percent).

During the APEC Week, all hotels in big cities such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang were fully occupied, said the VNAT.