The central Quang Nam province, home to two UNESCO-recognised world cultural heritage sites of Hoi An ancient town and My Son Sanctuary, welcomed over 83,000 tourists during the nine-day Lunar New Year holiday.

The total figure represented a year-on-year increase of 11 percent. Foreign visitors numbered around 35,000.

Meanwhile, central Quang Ngai province saw a record number of visitors – 3,500 - to its Ly Son island, a new tourist destination during the holiday.

Ly Son island is well known for relics related to naval soldiers from the Nguyen Dynasty who were assigned with missions to patrol and protect Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago. The relics include Hoang Sa Bac Hai flotilla memorial and exhibition house and empty tombs for soldiers who died at sea.

The island hosts an annual boat racing festival between the fourth and eighth day of the Lunar New Year to wish for peace and prosperity for the people and to commemorate ancestors and Hoang Sa (Paracel) soldiers who protect the country's sea and islands.

The festival dates back more than 300 years ago to the Nguyen Dynasty, when it was organised to choose the healthiest men for the team of Hoang Sa soldiers.-VNA