Hanoi, Mar 9 (IANS): Vietnam's tourism sector is projected to return to pre-Covid pandemic levels in 2025, authorities said on Thursday.

The industry accounted for 9.2 per cent of the Southeast Asian country's annual gross domestic product in 2019, with a record 18 million international arrivals and 720 trillion Vietnamese dong ($30.2 billion) in revenue, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Vietnam has also aimed to attract 35 million international visitors by 2030 with a steady growth of 13 to 15 per cent a year through a wide range of stimulus measures, Xinhua news agency quoted the authorities as saying in the latest development strategy.

With the target to position itself as an ideal tourism destination in Southeast Asia, Vietnam will develop a quality and sustainable industry to draw high-spending and long-stay visitors.

The tourism authorities plan to boost foreign tourist numbers from traditional markets including northeast Asian countries, Europe, ASEAN region, North America, Russia, and Oceania; targeting new emerging markets like India and Middle East countries; and launch more online publicity campaigns to raise awareness about its potential.

Vietnam expects to open its doors to several tourism-focused projects to win over international visitors who are interested in medical, beauty treatments, or leisure activities combining meetings, incentives, conferences and events.

Vietnam received nearly 1.8 million international passengers in January and February, with revenue from their spending estimated at $3.6 billion, paving the way for its tourism sector to earn $27.3 billion dollars this year, equivalent to 90.3 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.