HANOI, Jan 18 (Oana-VNA) -- Vietnam's tourism sector plans to provide services to 14.7 million tourists in 2002, a 4.8 percent year-on-year increase, said General Director of the Vietnam Administration of Tourism (VAT) Vo Thi Thang at a meeting with media workers in Hanoi on Jan 17.

Thang told the media workers that this year the sector will continue carrying out the National Action Programme on Tourism, focusing on developing infrastructure facilities, diversifying tourism products, increasing the quality of cultural services and boosting tourism advertising and promotional activities.

Enhancing the efficiency of State management in tourism, promoting coordination, perfecting mechanisms and policies in the field and developing human resources are other purposes of the sector.

The VAT will consolidate, expand and effectively exploit key international tourist markets while developing domestic tourism.

Cultural and festival tourism will be highlighted with the Hue Festival 2002 which is scheduled to be held from May 4-15, with financial assistance from France and member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

--(Oana-VNA)