II. READING

TASK 1. Read the following passage, then choose the correct answer.

Tourism in Viet Nam has seen a lot of changes in recent years. For backpackers, culture and nature lovers, military veterans, Viet Nam has become a new tourist destination in Southeast Asia.

International tourist arrivals to Viet Nam have continuously risen. In 2008, Viet Nam received 4.218 million tourists. In 2012, the number rose to 6.84 million. Four years later, the country welcomed 10 million international visitors, and in 2019, it was 18 million. This increase made Viet Nam the fifth most visited country in the Asia-Pacific region.

By March 2023, the four countries with the largest numbers of visitors to Viet Nam are South Korea, the USA, Thailand, and China. The most attractive destinations in Viet Nam are national parks like Cuc Phuong, Phong Nha-Ke Bang, Cape Ca Mau, and World Heritage Sites like Ha Long Bay, Hue, and Hoi An. Tourism is significant to the country's economy. For example, in 2016, tourism contributed 6.6 per cent to gross domestic product (GDP) equal to VND 279,287 billion. It has also helped to promote the development of related sectors, such as hotels, transportation, entertainment, and food.

Most tourists to Viet Nam are interested in its _________.