The number of foreign arrivals to Hanoi has risen sharply since the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi.

The Hanoi municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism (DCST) reported that in the first five months of this year the city received nearly 5.7 million visitors, including 552,000 foreigners, up 23 percent and 20 percent, respectively from a year ago.

They included 82,000 from China (up 32 percent), 50,000 tourists from Australia (up 28 percent) and 48,000 visitors from Japan (up 14 percent).

This was attributed to Hanoi’s great efforts to diversify tourism products and improve infrastructure facilities as well as human resources.

The city is drawing up a plan for tourism development until 2020 with a vision for 2030 with a focus on building a transport network for eco-tourism.

It will go ahead with key projects to attract tourisms to the Thang Long Royal Palace, Van Mieu (Temple of Literature), Hanoi Museum, Ngoc Son Temple, Giong festival, Huong Pagoda, Thay Pagoda, Tay Phuong Pagoda, Duong Lam ancient village, Dong Ngac village, Bat Trang and Van Phuc craft villages and many other places of interest around the city.

Hanoi aims to receive 1.75 million foreign tourists and 11.5 million domestic visitors in 2011.