The Hanoi Department of Tourism and the Vietnamtourism-Hanoi Company have introduced free walking tours around the Old Quarter to mark the opening of the Center for Tourist Information and Assistance at 28 Hang Dau Street in the capital’s ancient area.

The tours take about 1 hour and 30 minutes and start at 9.30am, 10.15am, 2pm, 3pm and 4 pm from Wednesday to Sunday (except public holidays). Starting at 28 Hang Dau Street, the tours then proceed to Hang Dao, Hang Bac, Hang Bo, Lan Ong, Hang Thiec, Hang Quat, Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square, and Ba Kieu Temple. Tour guides are active and well-trained students.

Three other tours visit typical architecture in Hanoi, where tourists can see the integration between East and West inside the Old Quarter.

At the Center for Tourist Information and Assistance tourists are provided with information on destinations in Hanoi and in Vietnam, as well as tourism services such as restaurants, hotels, and entertainment areas.

It provides free tourism publications and brochures and cooperates with State authorities to resolve any complaints. It also features an art gallery.

The center is open every day from 8am to 8pm except public holidays and staff are proficient at English, French, Chinese, and Korean. Its Hotline is 0941 336 677.

Mr. Do Dinh Hong, Director of the Hanoi Department of Tourism, said the center will bolster tourist satisfaction in the city and will help them enhance their understanding of Hanoi and perhaps stay longer.

In the first nine months of this year Hanoi welcomed about 2.9 million international tourists, up 28 per cent year-on-year, according to Hanoi Department of Tourism. Total revenue from tourism stands at about VND46.3 trillion ($2.07 billion), an increase of 17 per cent year-on-year. Most tourists came from China, the UK, France, Australia, South Korea, Japan, and the US.

Domestic tourist arrivals in Hanoi were about 13.5 million in the first nine months, a 6 per cent increase. In 2016, Hanoi is expected to welcome 4 million international tourist arrivals, a 22.6 per cent increase compared to 2015. International tourists staying in Hanoi (and not just passing through) are expected to be 2.8 million. Domestic tourist arrivals are expected to be 17 million.

The total number of tourists to Hanoi this year is therefore expected to be 21 million, a 10.7 per cent increase compared to 2015. Total revenue is to be over VND62 trillion ($2.78 billion).

As at September the Hanoi Department of Tourism had licensed 700 international tour guides and 400 domestic tour guides. The city has 554 hotels, or 62 more than last year.

VN Economic Times