The central province of Thua Thien-Hue has launched a website in several languages aimed at promoting multiple activities that will take place in the province as part of National Tourism Year 2012.

The website www.dulich.thuathienhue.gov.vn includes information in Vietnamese, English and French languages.

Content in Japanese would be added soon thanks to a co-operative project between the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA), said Ngo Hoa, standing Deputy Chairman of the province's People's Committee.

In addition to offering programme schedules and background information, the website also provides tourists with travel services.

A series of 20 major events will be staged in the province for National Tourism Year 2012, 11 of which will be sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the remainder organised by the province.

Most of the events will be held during the tourism season and the remaining months of the year as part of the development strategy for tourism in central provinces. The activities are expected to help promote inter-provincial connections and increase tourism revenue.

During the year-long programme, tourists will have the opportunity to participate in the Charming Viet Nam Gala 2012 next month, followed by the Gastronomy Festival of Central Viet Nam in April and the Traditional Musical Instruments Festival of Vietnamese Ethnicities in May, among many others.

The provincial People's Committee previously implemented 43 projects, at a total estimated cost of VND49 trillion (US$2.3 billion), serving tourism activities and the National Tourism Year.

The province is expected to welcome approximately 2.5 million tourists during National Tourism Year 2012.