The tourist town of Sapa in northern Lao Cai province has attracted more than 40 tourism real estate projects over recent years with total capital estimated at more than VND500 trillion ($21.1 billion), according to the provincial Department of Tourism.

Some projects have operated effectively.

Sapa has long been a popular tourist destination and visitor numbers keep increasing. It welcomed only 200,000 tourists in 2003 and then 800,000 a decade later.

This year, it is expected to welcome 3.5 million visitors, accounting for 60 per cent of the total number visiting Lao Cai province.

The number of visitors to Lao Cai in the first quarter was 2 million, a 316 per cent increase year-on-year.

There are currently 571 accommodation establishments in Sapa with 6,800 rooms, and more than 400 restaurants.

Lao Cai is preparing activities to celebrate 120 years of Sapa Tourism, an event hoped to further boost the recovery of the local industry.