The discount programme, which was initiated by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, is part of the effort to attract more international tourists and promote local travel for the national tourism industry, which has seen deep plunges in the number of travellers since early this year.

7 international travel agents, 3 transport companies, 61 hotels and 14 shops have registered to join the scheme, which is to focus on nearby markets, with China to be the first priority for the remaining months of 2009.

According to the General Statistics Office, international arrivals to Vietnam hit 2.17 million in first 7 months of 2009, down 18.7% compared to the same period last year. The number of visitors by sea shrank by 57%, followed by declines of nearly 34% and 12.7% in the figures of land and air tourists.