VietNamNet Bridge – The number of international tourists in Ha Noi during Tet soared by 16 per cent against the same period last year to some 183,000, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism reported yesterday, Jan 31.

The department also forecast a steep rise in the number of visitors from China, Japan, France, Australia, South Korea and some Southeast Asian countries during the first quarter of 2012.

A 14 per cent increase, meanwhile, was recorded in the number of locals travelling abroad through local travel companies during the country's biggest holiday.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News