The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PAPA) has announced the number of foreign arrivals to various regions in the world for the first two months of 2011.

Overall, destinations in Southeast Asia saw strong growth in the number of foreign visitors. Myanmar ranks first with growth of 27%, followed by Vietnam at 22%, Cambodia (18%), the Philippines (17%), Singapore (16%), Thailand (12%) and Indonesia (11%).

Vietnam has for the first time participated in the Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, which took place in Malaysia from March 17-20.

The Vietnamese team brought five balloons carrying posters to call for votes for Halong Bay as one of the world's seven wonders, to the event, which is the third of its kind so far.

As many as 11 Vietnam travel companies are taking part in the 18th Moscow International Travel and Tourism Exhibition (MITT) in Russia, one of the five annual biggest tourism expos in the world.

The participation aims to promote the images of Vietnam and present Vietnam's tourism products, said Chu Ha Lan, an official from the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT).

Thirty four enterprises nationwide have registered to sponsor about VND20 billion for the Danang International Fireworks Competition 2011 to be held April 29-30 on the central coast.