The northern mountainous province of Lao Cai received 397,410 visitors, including 191,602 foreign tourists, in the first quarter, a 25 per cent jump year-on-year, according to the local Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Located around 300km from the capital Ha Noi, the province has plenty of scenic sites like Sa Pa, the world-famous mountain town, and Bac Ha ethnic market.
The two boast beautiful mountains, caves, forests, terraced fields, ethnic people's markets, historical sites, and many traditional ethnic cultures. The province is home to 27 ethnic groups.
Sa Pa is rated by travel guide Lonely Planet as one of the best walking sites in the world. The US's Travel&Leisure magazine named Sa Pa's terraced rice fields as one of the seven most magnificent in the world.
Lao Cai Province has mostly pleasant weather with an annual average temperature of 23oC.
This year Sa Pa Tourism Week will be held between April 29 and May 4 with various activities like traditional music and dance and ethnic folk games.
The province hopes to welcome 1.5 million tourists this year compared to more than 1.2 million last year.