Nhan Dan- During the first days of the New Year, the number of both domestic and international visitors to different localities of Vietnam increases sharply, according to Vietnam Administration of Tourism.

Sa Pa town of tourism in Lao Cai northern mountainous attracted a lot of visitors during the first three days of the New Year, making all of hotels and guest houses overbooked. The tourist sites in Ta Van, Ban Ho, Ta Phin communes lures many tourists, one third of them is foreigners. The Ham Rong tourism site alone received around 3,000 visitors on the first two days of the New Year.

Meanwhile, around 300,000 visitors flocked to Da Lat city in Lam Dong Central Highlands province to join the Da Lat Flower Festival 2010 which was held from January 2 to 4. According to the organisers, all the hotel and guest house rooms had been booked one month earlier. Even some visitors who couldn’t book a room in Da Lat had to stay in Duc Trong, which is 20km from the city.

According to the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Khanh Hoa province, the number of tourists to Nha Trang coastal city doubled. Most of the hotels there were fully occupied.

The number of domestic and international tourists to Can Tho city tripled during the New Year holiday.

According to the statistics from the Vietnam Administration of Tourism, the number of foreign tourists to Vietnam in 2009 reaches 3.8 million, 11.5% down as compared with 2008. However, the number of domestic tourists increases 19% with 25 million of visitors. The sector earned around VND 68,000 to 70,000 billion, 10% up over that of the previous year.

It is expected that in 2010, the sector will receive about 4.5 million of international visitors, making 18% to 21% increase as compared with 2009 and 28 million domestic visitors.