Tan Son Nhat.  Nearly 200 Australian tourists arrived in Ho Chi Minh City in their chartered aircraft yesterday.

Among the first group of luxury travellers to arrive for tours in Vietnam this year, they will visit Hanoi before continuing into China.

Mr Nguyen Tuan, MD of host Viet Value Travel Co. Ltd said, “I expect that we will see more high-end travellers in the future as the Vietnam tourist industry improves to the point where we are serious competition for neighbouring countries.”

“World tourism has been affected by terrorism and civil war in many countries.  Travellers are coming here because of our reputation for stability, safety and friendliness.  I see a bright future for tourism in Vietnam.”

The group will spend 07 days in Vietnam and will provide a significant boost to the economy in hard currency.