Key tourist attractions in the country, mainly in the warm southern region, have been attracting large numbers of travelers as the New Year holiday lasts four days, Nguoi Lao Dong newspaper reported.

Traffic congestion occurs at a roundabout near Ho Xuan Huong Lake in the hilly resort town of Dalat on December 31. Large numbers of travelers go on tours to key tourist destinations in Vietnam due to the four-day New Year holiday 

Dalat City saw severe traffic jams at rush hour on December 29 and 30 due to an upsurge in the number of tourists. Most services became overloaded and prices, mainly of hotel rooms, skyrocketed during the holiday.

In addition, on Phu Quoc Island off the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang, large numbers of international and domestic visitors flooded the beaches of Bai Dai, Bai Sao, Ong Lang and Bai Khem, among others.

Nguyen Minh Dong, manager of Phu Quoc International Airport, said that on December 29 and 30, the island lured some 12,000 tourists per day.

Further, Can Tho City witnessed an overwhelming number of holidaymakers visiting My Khanh Tourist Village on December 30 to enjoy dog and pig races.

Also, Cai Rang floating market in Can Tho City and the Phu Huu tourist site in Chau Thanh District, Hau Giang Province have attracted a wave of visitors during the long holiday.

The central coastal city of Danang is expected to welcome 158,000 tourists during the holiday, edging up 10.5% year-on-year, of which international tourists will amount to over 91,400, up 12.2%, according to the Danang Department of Tourism.

Meanwhile, the Nha Trang Department of Tourism forecast the number of travelers visiting the city would soar by 60,000 during the four-day holiday year-on-year. However, on December 30, many tours were canceled due to torrential rain.

Nguyen Thi Le Thanh, deputy director of the department, voiced concern over the constant rain that led to tour cancelations.

SGT