Ho Chi Minh City’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism organised a ceremony to receive the first 360 foreign tourists in 2010 at Tan Son Nhat International Airport on January 1.

Among them, 180 foreigners on a flight of the national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines came from Frankfurt, Germany, and 180 others, mainly Europeans came to HCMC on Thai Airways.

The city’s leaders, Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Tourism Association and representatives of travel agents and hotels welcomed the foreigners warmly and hoped they would enjoy their new-year tour with unforgettable impressions of Vietnam.

An art performance was held to introduce to the first visitors to the city. In 2009, HCMC received 2.52 million foreign tourists and 8 million domestic visitors. Total revenue reached VND34,000 billion, increasing by 10% against 2008.