HCM CITY — Many localities in Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta saw a surge in tourist arrivals during the Tết (Lunar New Year) holiday.

The Mekong Delta city of Cần Thơ received 785,200 tourist arrivals between February 2 and 10, according to the city’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Tourism receipts rose 12 per cent to VNĐ 84.92 billion (US$3.65 million) during the period.

During the holiday, Cần Thơ City ensured traffic safety, security and price stabilisation.

To attract tourists, travel firms in the city launched new cycling tours, motorbike tours, agricultural and farm tours.

During the period, Kiên Giang Province saw a 27.4 per cent rise in tourist arrivals, with a total of 353,500 arrivals, according to the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Tourism receipts were estimated at VNĐ 260 billion ($11.2 million) during the holiday, a year-on-year increase of 17 per cent.

The department said that sea and island tours attracted a majority of tourists, with popular tourist destinations such as Phú Quốc, Lại Sơn, An Sơn, Nam Du, Hải Tặc, and Bà Lụa islands.

Phú Quốc Island alone welcomed nearly 141,000 visitors, including 22,260 foreign tourists, according to the department.

During the period An Giang Province received more than 758,000 and tourism receipts were estimated at VNĐ 26 billion ($1.12 million).

HCM City also saw a 15 per cent rise in the number of tourists, with more than 221,000 tourists visiting the city during the holiday, according to the city’s Department of Tourism. —VNS