Of the number, 87,000 were international visitors and over 1.9 million were domestic visitors. Total revenue was estimated at 250 million USD. Visitor numbers in March rose after Vietnam and China officially began to welcome each other’s tour groups from March 15. The number of international visitors to Lao Cai reached 41,200 in the month, an increase of 27% against February. To stimulate its tourism sector, Lao Cai is actively promoting international tourism cooperation and improving the quality of human resources for the sector. The official also proposed the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to work with related ministries to standardise the training and fostering of tourism human resources, to meet regional and international standards. There are currently 149 accommodation establishments in Lao Cai. The province has 35 tourist areas and attractions, and over 2,400 standard travel service establishments. Lao Cai is now preparing activities to celebrate 120 years of Sapa Tourism, an event hoped to further boost the recovery of the local non-smoke industry./.