Cat Ba island near the northern port city of Haiphong has received its one millionth tourist, which marks the vigorous growth of the local tourism sector in recent times.

A ceremony to welcome Neil Hunter from Australia was held on Christmas Eve by Cat Hai district authorities in coordination with the Haiphong department for culture, sports and tourism.
The reception for this tourist came one year earlier than expected.

The number of tourists to Cat Ba surged in 2009, bringing the island a total turnover of VND400 billion, which exceeds the 2008 figure by VND100 billion