Since the beginning of the year, the number of domestic tourists has increased three fold over the same period last year, tourist companies in Ho Chi Minh City said.

A view of Ha Long Bay in the northern province of Quang Ninh

It is one month since the city participated in a promotion by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism to stimulate domestic tourism.

Tourist companies participating in the program set up promotional package tours, with flights to southern and central provinces cut by 30-40 percent.

Coach tours have not grown as the promotional price has not been attractive enough with five to 10 percent discounts.

The discount is part of plan drawn up by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and a group of domestic travel businesses involving over 200 hotels, resorts, restaurants and transport companies in 18 provinces and cities.

If the plan is taken up fully, the cost of coach tours this summer will be cut by 20 percent.