This was announced at a press briefing by the organising board of National Tourism Year 2013 last week, in Hanoi.

Minister of Culture, Sport and Tourism Hoang Tuan Anh said that the National Tourism Year 2013 aims to promote destinations, attract both domestic and foreign tourists, and intensify tourism development connections among localities.

There will be 22 national events hosted by the ministry or co-organised with other branches and ministries, 33 events organised by 11 provinces and cities in the Red River Region. Specifically, Haiphong, the host of the National Tourism Year 2013, will hold 13 events.

Deputy Chairman of the Haiphong People’s Committee, Le Khac Nam, announced at the press briefing that special guests of the National Tourism Year 2013 will include the Minister of Tourism from France, and Ministers or Chairmen of National Tourism Organs in China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Russia, Laos and Thailand.

The organising board is considering choosing some art troupes of Kitakyushu (Japan), Incheon (the Republic of Korea), Vladivostock (Russia), Vientiane (Laos) and others from Thailand, China, India, Finland, Australia, the US, and France to perform at the opening ceremony which will be held on January 6, 2013 at the Haiphong Opera House.