The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) has planned marketing activities in France and other Western

Europe countries for late August. Vu The Binh, Director of Department of Travel under VNAT, said the road show in France would focus on promoting activities of 1,000 years of Thang Long - Hanoi. The event will be organized by the HCMC Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Vietnam Airlines.

The program will also promote Vietnamese culture like Vietnam Culture Week in Germany in the coming time.

The tourism sector is also eyeing Russia as a potential market.

VNAT has a larger budget for promotion activities this year. The department will receive VND31 billion, or some US$1.65 million, from the National Tourism Action Program, up by VND6 billion compared to last year. There will also be VND40 billion from the Government to promote tourism and trade, up by VND15 billion compared to last year.

VNAT has reported 1.35 million foreign visitors to Vietnam in the first quarter, a 36.2% year-on-year increase and nearly one-third of the year’s target.