The event is expected to draw 1,900 domestic and foreign delegates, said Pham Ngoc Thuy, Director of the provincial Tourism Department.

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Scene at the press conference, where the date and venue of the gala celebrating the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2019 are released

According to Thuy, Quang Ninh has worked to complete preparations for the gala, including infrastructure, stage and art performance programs, urban decoration, security and health, along with training for local officials and volunteers participating in the event.

The gala aims to celebrate the success of the ATF 2018 which is taking place in Ha Long city from January 14 – 18. It will combine with the closing ceremony of the National Tourism Year 2018 - Ha Long - Quang Ninh, themed “Ha Long – Heritage, Wonder – Friendly Destination”.

In 2018, Quang Ninh welcomed 12.2 million tourists for the first time, up 24 percent year on year. Of the visitors, 5.2 million was foreigners, up 22.1 percent. The revenue from tourism was estimated at VND 23.6 trillion (USD 1.01 billion), up 28.1 percent year on year.

Source: VNA