HANOI, March 29 (Xinhua) -- The Vietnam International Travel Mart kicked off here on Thursday, with the participation of 679 businesses from over 20 countries and regions.

At the four-day fair, the businesses, mainly travel agencies, from China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Japan and other countries and regions are introducing their newest products, promoting destinations around the world, and offering discounted airfares and package tours.

Seminars on online tourism, agro-tourism, start-ups and policies relating to tourism, as well as a food festival will be held during the fair, said the organizers.

Vietnam hosted over 4.2 million international arrivals in the first quarter of this year, a year-on-year surge of 30.9 percent, according to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism.