Vietnam Airlines Monday launched a discount campaign, offering travel firms local air tickets for up to 50 percent off regular prices.

The discount, lasting until December, is available for tour operators that have registered for the government's official "Vietnam - Your Destination" tourism promotion campaign.

Under the Vietnam Airlines promotion, a round-trip ticket for routes of HCMC-Hanoi and HCMC-Vinh costs VND1.8 million (US$96). For HCMC - Da Nang and HCMC Hue, a two-way ticket is sold at VND1 million -1.2 million.

The carrier also offers discounts for Hanoi - Can Tho and Hanoi Buon Ma Thuot flights.

"Vietnam Your destination" follows the success of last year's Impressive Vietnam campaign. Vietnam's tourism industry posted more than a 6.5 percent growth in total revenues last year despite the economic slump.

Tran The Dung, deputy director of The He Tre (Young Generation) Travel Company, said it would slash its tours by 30-35 percent partly thanks to Vietnam Airlines' discounts.

Vietnam has set a foreign arrivals target of between 4.5 and 4.6 million for this year with revenues of up to VND78 trillion ($4.2 billion).