The HCMC Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism is inviting traders to join the Impressive Vietnam Grand Sale 2010 program and will receive registrations from next month, a tourism official said.

La Quoc Khanh, deputy director of the department, told the Daily on Wednesday that shopping centers, retail outlets and other traders could register at the department office at 140 Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street in District 3.

“Such traders can register with the department on their promotions without limit on the discount percentage,” he said.

The program is part of a national marketing campaign called Vietnam – Your Destination initiated by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT). Under the program, the departments of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Industry and Trade of HCMC, Danang and Hanoi will organize the program in August and September to offer discounts of 10-40% for both local and foreign customers.

Khanh said the promotion program in August would attract around 63 shopping centers and restaurants that have been recognized under the city’s Standard Tourism Service.

he forthcoming program will be an additional promotion event alongside the yearly promotion program of the Department of Industry and Trade.

“The city’s tourism sector has a Standard Tourism Service system as well as the yearly program of the Department of Industry and Trade, so the city’s grand sale program will be a bit different compared to those in Danang and Hanoi,” Khanh said.

Vu The Binh, head of the Travel Department under VNAT, said relevant departments of Hanoi and Danang were in the process to carry out the program.

“They’re receiving registrations from traders. We are following up the process in the three cities and will make an official announcement of the Impressive Vietnam Grand Sale 2010 to customers as soon as possible,” he said.

Binh told the Daily that along with the promotion program, the three cities planned to organize promotion fairs as well. HCMC plans to hold its fair in November while Hanoi and Danang’s will take place in December.