The Complex of Hue Monuments in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue welcomed 158,000 visitors during the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday from February 2-10, including over 50,000 foreigners, up 14.8 percent annually.

At the Complex of Hue Monuments (Source: VNA)

They had a chance to enjoy calligraphy writing displays and ceremonial music, watch traditional martial arts, lion dances and games.

On 5 February (the first day of the Lunar New Year), about 25,000 visitors arrived in Hue ancient capital, including 170 cruise tourists via Chan May port.

Mr Nguyen Van Phuc, Deputy Director of the provincial Tourism Department, said apart from the annual traditional craft festival in late April, the locality will pilot four-season festivals, continue holding Coupe de Hue Cycle Race and Hue Marathon 2019, towards turning tourism into a pillar economy.

This year, the province strives to serve about 4.5-4.7 million tourists, up nearly 8 percent annually, and nearly half of them will be foreigners. Tourism revenue is expected to increase by nearly 10 percent to 4.7-4.9 trillion VND (204- 213 million USD).

Meanwhile, Da Nang attracted nearly 70,000 foreign vacationers on over 449 flights, up 70 percent year-on-year during the period.

At the same time, two luxury cruise liners Superstar Virgo and Costa Atlantica carried 3,900 passengers from North East Asia to Tien Sa port. They later toured major local destinations.

Da Nang is expected to welcome 8.19 million tourists this year, bringing its tourism revenue to 27.4 trillion VND, or a 13.9 percent rise from 2018.

Major sites in the central region such as Huong Tich pagoda, Dong Loc Intersection in the central province of Ha Tinh, tomb of General Vo Nguyen Giap in the central province of Quang Binh also lured tens of thousands of pilgrims coming for sightseeing and pray for blessings.

(Source: VNA)