Around 35 companies from cities and provinces nationwide are showcasing their products at 120 pavilions. — Photo sggp

HCM CITY (VNS) —The 11th HCM City Tourism Day 2015, themed "Impression of World Heritage in Viet Nam", kicked off yesterday (March 26) at Zone B, September 23 Park in the city's District 1.

The four-day event, co-organised by the HCM City's Department of Tourism and Tourism Association, has attracted nearly 40 travel agents, hotels, universities and representatives from tourism promotion agencies from Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia and Singapore.

Around 35 companies from cities and provinces nationwide are showcasing their products at 120 pavilions.

Seven localities which have world natural and cultural heritage sites recognized by UNESCO – Ha Noi, Quang Ninh, Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa, Quang Binh, Thua Thien Hue, and Quang Nam – have set up displays of heritage space, artworks, souvenirs and postcards to highlight the heritage value.

Quang Ninh Province's Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, together with eights tourism enterprises, have a pavilion named Ha Long Bay – a Wonder of the World, which includes documentaries and publications promoting the province and its tourism products.

Other activities include the art performance "Impression of World Heritage in Viet Nam" during the opening ceremony, which opened last night, and a photo exhibition on "HCM City Tourism - 40 years of Formation and Development".

There are also art performances honoring the country's art forms recognized as UNESCO cultural intangible heritages, ceremonies honoring the city's tourism brands, and businesses that have made contributions to the development of tourism.

2015 domestic tourism programme

HCM City's Department of Tourism and Tourism Association in cooperation with the national flag carrier Viet Nam Airlines, Vietjet Air, and Jestar Pacific yesterday (March 26) launched the 2015 domestic tourism stimulation programme for tours departing from 14 cities -- HCM City, Ha Noi, Hai Phong, Thanh Hoa, Vinh Hue, Da Nang, Dong Hoi, Quy Nhon, Tuy Hoa, Nha Trang, Buon Me Thuot, Da Lat, and Phu Quoc.

The programme follows the policy "Vietnamese people travel Viet Nam, each trip adds love to the native country" of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's and the Viet Nam Administration of Tourism.

This year, airlines will offer discounts of 40 to 65 per cent, and a "good" take-off hour.

Travel agencies taking part in the programme also pledge to offer tours with 20 to 40 per cent discounts.

This year, the tourism stimulation programme will include hotels, restaurants, shopping centres, and resorts.

Last year, 49,767 air tickets were sold under the programme, up 45 per cent compared to 2013. — VNS