As many as 10.3 million tourists visited six northern central coastal provinces from Thanh Hoa to Thua Thien Hue in 2012 – an increase of 12 percent from last year.

A display of model planes and ships was held on the Huong River in the imperial city of Hue on April 7, opening this year’s week-long Hue festival.

A ceremony was held in the central province of Quang Ngai on April 6 to pay tribute to the soldiers and sailors based on Hoang Sa, who sacrificed their lives over the centuries guarding the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagoes.

Nearly 40 choirs, including over 1,000 domestic and international singers, will perform at the first International Choir Festival & Competition in Hoi An city in the central province of Quang Nam, from March 16-20 in 2011.

A festival highlighting Vietnamese ceramic products will begin in the southern province of Binh Duong on National Day (September 2) to mark the 1,000 th anniversary of Hanoi.

A three-day Vegetarian Food Festival will be held for the first time in HCM City at District 1's September 23 Park.