Boasting 366 islands, a temperate climate, a diverse range of fauna and flora species, and nearly 100 seaside resorts shrouded by mountains, Cat Ba Archipelago in Cat Hai district, northern Hai Phong city, has become an appealing destination of both domestic and international holidaymakers.

Cai Be, one of the many well-known floating markets in the western region of southern Vietnam was formed in the Nguyen Dynasty in the 19th century. The Cai Be Floating Market is always busy, bearing all the characteristics of the locals’ life in the western region.

The Vietnam-US Bilateral Trade Agreement will soon let US travel agencies operate in Vietnam. Thoi bao Kinh te Sai Gon (Sai Gon Economic Times) newspaper spoke to tourism administration vice chairman Pham Tu about prospects for stiff competition.

The port city of Hai Phong in northern Vietnam welcomed more than two million tourists in 2005, including 512,000 foreigners, 16 percent more than in 2004. This year the city is doing what it can to increase the number of visitors.