Totally, 36,590 were from the Republic of Korea (up 46 percent), 68,738 from Japan (up 24 percent), 61,867 from Australia (up 13 percent).

In the same period, the city served 7.3 million domestic tourists, up 24 percent. 

Truong Minh Tien, Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said Hanoi expects to welcome 12.8 million holiday makers in 2012, including over 2 million foreigners. 

To meet the target, the department will improve tours from Hanoi to some major tourist destinations in Vietnam such as Hoa Binh, Son La, Lai Chau, Dien Bien and expand tours of craft villages in Bat Trang, Van Phuc, Phu Vinh, and Quat Dong, and Phu Suyen. 

The city also plans to advertise Hanoi’s tourism in potential foreign markets in East Europe, Canada, Australia and the Republic of Korea and focuses on distinctive tourism products.

In October, 2012, the Council Promotion Tourism Asia (CPTA) will organise the 12th conference in Hanoi.