HA NOI — The central city of Da Nang's gross domestic product (GDP) rose 7.1 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter of this year, according to the municipal Department of Planning and Investment.

During the period, the service sector was up 11.9 per cent, industry and construction, 0.6 per cent, and fisheries, agriculture and forestry, 4.7 per cent.

Mobilised capital in the city was estimated at VND50.2 trillion (U$2.39billion) by the end of the first quarter, a 2.58 per cent rise from the end of 2012. The outstanding loan balance reached more than VND51.5 trillion, up 1.5 per cent.

During the January to March period, Da Nang welcomed more than 590,400 tourists, a year-on-year rise of 0.4 per cent. Of these, 211,800 were foreign tourists and 378,600 were domestic.

Total social turnover from tourism posted more than VND1.4 trillion ($66.67 million), a year-on-year surge of 15.4 per cent. — VNS