VietNamNet Bridge – Tour operators and travel agencies are preparing to welcome tens of thousands of foreign tourists for the nation's biggest traditional festival, the Tet.

Foreign tourists take part in a banh chung wrapping competition organised at the Sea Horse Resort in Phan Thiet City's Mui Ne in the central province of Binh Thuan. The competition is one of the activities to interest tourists in traditional Tet holidays. (Photo: VNS)

Saigontourist Marketing Manager Doan Thi Thanh Tra said the influx would begin on January 26.

"So far, more than 8,500 tourists have booked with the company," Tra said.

Tours were an ideal introduction of Tet to foreigners, Tra said. For example, the Mekong Delta Tet tour includes a stop at a local household, specialising in floriculture, a traditional lunch with the family and a lesson on how to cook traditional foods. In addition, hotels and restaurants under the company had prepared special menus for the first four days of Tet, she said.

A Vietnamtravel marketing department representative, Duong Mai Lan, said the most popular destinations during Tet were Hoi An, Da Nang and the Mekong Delta.

Lan said tours included a Vietnamese-style celebration of the Lunar New Year where traditional dishes, including square glutinous rice cakes and lean pork paste, are served.

This year, Viet Nam expects to receive 5.3 million overseas visitors.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News