Vietnam welcomed over 14.1 million international arrivals in the first 10 months of this year, up 41.3 percent year on year, said the General Statistics Office (GSO) on Wednesday.

During the period, foreign arrivals to Vietnam by air reached nearly 12 million, accounting for 84.8 percent of the total, followed by those by road, taking up 13.9 percent.

Over 11.2 million arrivals were from Asia, surging 45.2 percent year on year, the data showed.

The upward trend can be attributed to favorable visa policies, tourism promotion programs and prestigious international tourism awards granted to Vietnam, said the office.

According to a GSO representative, quoted by Vietnam News Agency, the goal of 17-18 million foreign arrivals this year was achievable given that there were no abrupt changes occurring locally or globally, as the fourth quarter would be a peak season for foreign tourists visiting Vietnam.