Vietnam is among the four countries with the highest growth rates in tourism in the first five months this year, a senior industry official has announced.

The tourism sector posted a growth of more than 30 percent in the period, and is aiming at a full-year revenue target of US$4 billion, said Nguyen Manh Cuong, deputy head of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, said at a press conference on Friday to announce the 2010 Vietnam Tourism Awards.

Cuong said the country expects to receive 4.2 million foreign visitors this year.

The 2010 Vietnam Tourism Awards ceremony will be held in Hanoi on June 29.Sixty five awards will be given this year to hotels, tour operators and service providers.