Khanh Hoa (VNA) - The numberof foreign tourists visiting the coastal city of Nha Trang for Tet (Lunar NewYear) is expected to rise sharply this year, according to Khanh Hoa province’sDepartment of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

In January, the city welcomed 200,000foreign visitors, an increase of 160 percent compared to the same period lastyear.

Nguyen Thi Le Thanh, the department’sdeputy director, said the city and tourism agencies began organising a total of67 cultural activities for the holiday on February 8.

The city’s People’s Committee launched aFlower Festival at Phi Yen Park, where nearly 1,000 indigenous and foreignflowers, bonsai plants and trees, and ornamental fish and birds can be seen. Itwill be open until February 20 (or the fifth day of the first lunar month).

On February 15 (Lunar New Year’s Eve), theprovince’s Cultural Centre will hold music performances, featuring tai tu, folkand pop music.

The centre will also organise bai choi (folksinging combining music, poetry, acting, painting and literature) and streetarts performances, as well as a human Chinese chess competition from February16-March 2 (the first to 15th day of the first lunar month).

From February 13 to 20, the Khanh Hoa TraditionalArts Theatre will host free music and dance shows at its venue, the April 2Square, and Po Nagar Cham Tower to serve tourists and locals.

Meanwhile, local tourism agencies willorganise traditional Tet activities like lion dances, calligraphy delivery and banhchung (square sticky rice cake) making.

New tours to handicraft villages will offertourists opportunities to make Vietnamese traditional dishes and jams.

Thai Hong Son, director of the Sputnik TourCompany which offers tours to Russian tourists, said: “We’ve received manyorders for Tet, so we want to provide exciting and interesting tours andactivities for tourists.”

Truong Van Tho, director of the city-basedVietnamtourism Charter Joint Stock Company, which brings Chinese tourists tothe city, said the number of Chinese booking tours to Nha Trang for Tet has increased20 percent compared to normal days.

“Chinese tourists like Nha Trang for itscuisine, beautiful beaches and warm weather,” said Tho, adding that they alsowant to discover Vietnamese culture.

The Nha Trang’s Department of Culture,Sports and Tourism has asked tourism agencies to only use tour guides who havecertificates and ensure safety for tourists taking part in adventureactivities.

The department has also asked local restaurantsto monitor food safety, while stores have been told to sell products withclearly labelled sources of origin.–VNA