The number of tourists booking tours during Tet (Lunar New Year), which falls on February 19 this year, has increased from last year because of the long nine-day holiday this time, according to travel companies.

Hanoi-based travel companies report a 10-40 percent increase, with short tours of two to four days being especially popular.

Besides tours to beaches in the central region, tours to spiritual destinations in Ninh Binh, Lang Son, Quang Binh, and Thua Thien-Hue provinces as well as the Mekong Delta are popular this year.

Tours to explore popular destinations in the north-west and north-east like Moc Chau, Sa Pa and Bac Ha are also popular, especially with youngsters.

A large number of people will begin their tours on the second or third day of the lunar year.

Travel companies are offering promotions like price cuts to attract tourists.-VNA