Vietnam Airlines has announced that it will offer a discount of 60-70 percent on all domestic and international flights scheduled from October 1- January 31, the carrier’s target promotion to date.

The airline’s southern director, Nguyen Thi Minh Yen, said the promotion, which begins on the same day as the International Travel Expo (ITE), would help to shore up tourism during tough economic times.

The ITE, the country’s largest and most important tourism fair, will be held from October 1-3 at the Phu Tho Exhibition Centre in HCM City ’s District 11.

Tickets for Vietnam Airlines flights must be purchased from October 1-20. Requests for flight delays or cancellations will not be allowed.

At the tourism fair, 300 exhibitors will be showcasing the tourism potential of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia to 150 participating travel agencies from 25 countries, including the US, Russia, Germany, China, Spain, Canada, South Africa, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore.

Exhibitors are players in the hospitality industry, including governmental authorities, tour operators, transportation companies, hotels, restaurants, insurance companies, publications, business and conference facilities and recreation services, among others.

La Quoc Khanh, deputy director of the city’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said that despite the economic downturn, this year’s event expected to attract 50 more international buyers compared to last year./.