Vietnam to focus on beach-island tourism

TUOI TRE

Vietnam will further develop beach-island tourism, which already accounts for 70 percent of its tourism activities, in the next decade.

Revealing this at a conference, “Strategy to develop tourism in Vietnam by 2020 - Vision 2030”, Thursday, the Institute for Tourism Development Research (ITDR) said it would focus on five exotic and beautiful areas: Ha Long-Cat Ba, Lang Co- Son Tra- Hoi An, and Nha Trang-Cam Ranh in the central region and Phan Thiet-Mui Ne and Phu Quoc in the south. 

More tours to these islands-beaches will be offered to lure both domestic and international passengers in addition to attractions like introduction of Vietnamese customs and traditions and cuisine.

Other areas with high potential for tourism development like Van Don-Co To and Truong Sa-Hoang Sa will also be developed.

Development of sea-related tourism would also ensure national security and economic growth in coastal provinces, the ITDR said.

A Truong Sa-Hoang Sa tour, to be available soon, was not only a tourist activity but also a way for Vietnamese to show their patriotism, it said, adding tourists’ safety would be ensured by the troops stationed in the islands.

Vietnam hopes for 7-8 million international passengers and 32 to 35 million domestic passengers this year and revenues of US$10-11 billion, or 5.5-6 percent of the country's GDP. 

The target numbers for 2020 are 11-12 million foreign visitors, 45-48 million domestic travelers, and US$18-19 billion.

In 2030, these are expected to double, making Vietnam one of the top tourism players.
 
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