The government has agreed to spend VND25 billion on the promotion of the tourism sector in 2009, including US$204,000 for 320 broadcasts, each lasting 30 seconds, on the BBC, said Nguyen Van Tinh, Head of International Cooperation Department under Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

He added that the promotion programme will have a total air time of 20 weeks, including eight weeks in the Asia-Pacific, six in Europe and six in America.

In addition, the ministry will buy advertising on taxis in Britain featuring a Vietnamese young girl in traditional long dress standing on the Halong Bay, a world natural heritage site.