HA NOI (VNS)– Up to 400 Vietnamese and foreign tourist companies are expected to attend the Viet Nam International Travel Mart in Ha Noi in April.

The four-day event from April 18 will feature travel specials from agents, tour operators, airlines, hotels and resorts, including a 20 per cent discount on tour packages from May to December 2013 and cheap air tickets for the Ha Noi-HCM City route.

The event will help mark National Tourism Year 2013: Song Hong (Red River) Delta-Hai Phong.

Viet Nam Tourism Association vice president Vu The Binh said foreign travel agents from South Korea Thailand, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, France and Australia had already registered.

Meanwhile, talkfests and exhibitions were planned for the sidelines. Conferences subjects would include "Trademark of Vietnamese Tourism", "Promoting the Value of Ha Noi Cultural Heritage", "Aiming to Develop Tourism" and "Strategies to Raise Awareness of Responsible Tourism".

Exhibitions would include a display of yachts, kayaks, BMX bikes and tourist equipment, including travel tents and backpacks.

Souvenirs and handicrafts from different regions would also be presented and the proceedings would be interspersed with arts performances.

Co-organised by the association, Administration of Tourism and the Ha Noi People's Committee, the mart will take place at the Ha Noi International Centre for Exhibition, 91 Tran Hung Dao Street. – VNS