Ha Long city in northeastern Quang Ninh province welcomed more than 315,000 tourists in the first quarter of this year, a 24 percent year on year increase, earning a turnover of 225 billion VND, according to the city's Trade and Tourism Service.

Foreign visitors alone increased by 13 percent to more than 242,000 in the first quarter, the service added.
The city has inaugurated more tourist sites, hotels and restaurants, including Ha Long Plaza, Ha Long Dream and Ha Long Pearl hotels. The City's other tourist service products including Casino, fish peformance, circus, and water music park, have helped lure more visitors.
The city now has 359 hotels and guest houses with 6,325 rooms altogether, including eight four-star hotels, 10 three-star hotels, 21 two-star hotels and 183 guest houses.
In addition to a night market on Bai Chay beach, the city will open culinary areas in Vuon Dao and Gieng Don streets on April 30 during the Ha Long Tourism Festival 2006 Summer

(Source: VNA)