The success of the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF 2009) helped raise Vietnam’s tourism status in the region and offered opportunities for the country to promote its tourism potential abroad.

The Danang City expects to attract about 60,000 people, of which 20,000 from outside the city for International Fireworks Competition 2010 which will be organized on March 27 and 28 in the city.

Hanoi Craft Week 2010 will take place from August 4-9 at the Friendship Cultural Palace in Hanoi with the participation of 500 craft villages.

The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), the Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia and Vietnam Airlines jointly held a seminar and a gala night to promote the Vietnamese tourism in Kuala Lumpur on March 5.

Saigontourist Travel Services (Saigontourist) on March 1 received 800 cruise passengers and crew members of the Portuguese cruise ship Athena, raising the number of cruise travellers received by the company so far this year to over 14,000.

Hanoi is ranked third among 12 most attractive destinations in the world in 2010, announced a US prestigious tourist publisher.

Legend Hotel Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City’s luxury river-front five-star international hotel, has been awarded one of the top 10 Vietnamese boutique services hotels for international tourists in the “Ho Chi Minh City – One Hundred Excitements”, the program by the city government and its Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The hospitality industry is launching a promotion campaign in Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia from February 28 to March 6, according to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT).

An incense-burning ceremony opened the Sports, Culture and Tourism Week 2010 at the Tran Dynasty Temple relics in Hung Ha District of northern Thai Binh Province.

Instead of slashing tour prices like last year, the tourism industry hopes to attract foreign tourists with discount campaigns in big cities and advertising the warm smiles of Vietnamese people.