The figure indicated a rise of 18% compared to the same period last year. Between January and May, nearly 1.5 million foreigners visited Vietnam for their holidays, up 10.2% from a year earlier. The figures revealed 418,900 people travelled to the country for work and 442,400 others to visit relatives. During the period, the nation welcomed 546,900 people from China, 222,400 from South Korea and 204,200 from Japan. Arrivals from other countries such as the U.S., Cambodia, Taiwan, Malaysia, France and Australia also registered an increase. This year, Vietnam hopes to welcome around 5.3 million international tourists.