The northern city of Hai Phong welcomed 964,300 tourists in the first three months of 2015, an increase of 7.23% from the same period last year, according to the city’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

According to the department’s director, Doan Duy Linh, the city aims to become the tourism hub of the northern coastal region by diversifying its tourism products and improving its services.

Deputy Chairwoman of the Cat Hai district People’s Committee, Vu Thi Kim Bich, said a fund to promote Cat Ba’s tourism in 2015 was launched to develop material facilities and enhance service quality.

The district will soon hold several activities to kick start its tourism season, including a volleyball competition, a football match and artistic performances.

Meanwhile, Do Son district aims to become an international entertainment and tourism centre serving the city’s open door economic development policy.

Local authorities hope that the city will receive 2.5 million tourists in 2015.