Nearly 4.4 million tourists have arrived in Hanoi so far this year, an increase of 28% compared to the same period last year, according to the Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism. International travelers accounted for 570,000 visitors, a year-on-year increase of 20%.

The potential and orientations for tourism in the north-central region were discussed at a seminar in Hue City on April 15, aiming to promote tourism in the region and in the country as a whole.

As many as 1.9 million international visitors came to Hanoi in 2011, an increase of 11 percent over 2010, according to the Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

International visitors to Vietnam in October estimated 518,477 arrivals, increasing by 17.8% over the same period last year. Total international arrivals in 10 months reached 4,830,604 representing a 15.8% growth over the same period of 2010.

The management board for tourist sites in Con Dao Island (Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province) attracted an additional 1,948 tourists in November 2009, raising the figure in the first 11 months to 26,225, an increase of 35% compared to the same period last year.

According to Mr. Dao Huu Loan, General Director of Sai Gon- Binh Chau tourism area, Xuyen Moc district, from the beginning of this year till now, the tourism area received 236,060 tourists, increased 10% over 2008. The tourists came for relaxing only reached nearly 28,000 people, in which that some 1,500 are foreigners.

Tourist and travel companies are smiling as the tourist market booms with numbers registered for tours increase by 10 to 15 percent year-on-year. According to Tran The Dung, Deputy Director of the The He Tre (Young Generation) Tourist Company, the number of tourists buying tours with low-cost air tickets in November increased 43 percent since October. And the company’s domestic tours are attracting domestic holiday makers, he said.