Quang Nam seeks to lure more holiday-makers
 
Measures to attract more tourists to the central province of Quang Nam was the focus of discussion at a forum held in the locality on July 9, which brought together a crowd of domestic and foreign experts, managers and representatives from travel agencies.

In recent times, along with efforts in fostering tourism promotion, local authorities have also paid attention to boosting investment in diversifying products and services, improving their quality and upgrading infrastructure system serving the development of the sector.

Quang Nam boasts must-see destinations such as Hoi An, the world cultural heritage site of My Son sanctuary and the World Biosphere Reserve of Cu Lao Cham.

In the first half of this year, the province greeted over 1.7 million holiday-makers, up 6.2 percent against the same period last year.

Last year, Hoi An ancient town won the title of the second best city for tourists in Asia by the world’s premier travel magazine Conde Nast Traveller, while the US online news site Huffington Post listed Hoi An as one of the seven must-visit places in Vietnam.

However, following the tension in the East Sea caused by China’s illegal placement of its oil rig in Vietnam’s waters, the country’s tourism sector in general and that of Quang Nam in particular are being affected remarkably. In May and June, the number of foreign tourists, mostly from China to the locality saw a considerable decrease.

Le Tien Dung, Chairman of the Quang Nam Tourism Association, local authorities should pay heed to developing MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Exhibitions) tourism and building websites to promote its potential in the field.

He also urged them to speed up rural tourism models and forge links between Quang Nam and neighbouring provinces to thoroughly utilise regional cultural values and beauty, thus attracting more holiday-makers to the locality.

In additions, tourism promotion activities in potential foreign markets such Japan, the Republic of Korea and Russia should be focused on in the coming time, Dung added.

Participants also proposed local authorities to develop green tourism models in coastal areas to reduce negative impact from the sector on the environment.

Vinh Long takes efforts to lure more tourists

The tourism sector of Mekong Delta Vinh Long province has promoted its historical and cultural relic sites and traditional villages along with its strength of eco-tourism in an effort to lure more tourists.  

Vinh Long is home to over 450 relics, including 10 national-level and 34 provincial-level ones. Over the past six months, the sites attracted nearly 220,000 visitors.

Luu Hoang Minh, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s Information and Tourism Promotion Centre, said the provincial tourism authority has updated information and knowledge on historical and cultural sites for its guides, thus providing better services for visitors.

The centre in collaboration with universities, colleges and relevant agencies has held courses on professional skills for them, Minh added.

In 2014, the industry targets to welcome 950,000 tourists, including about 200,000 foreigners, and rake in 210 billion VND (9.8 million USD) in revenues.

Located between two major rivers of Tien Giang and Hau Giang, Vinh Long province is known for orchards green all year round and the cannel system which facilitates waterborne travel.

Da Lat plans push for monsoon tourism
 
The flower city of Da Lat will hold a summer festival called Mua tren pho nui (Rain in mountain city) from August 7 to 10, and hopes to turn its rainy season into a tourist attraction.

It will feature games played in the rain, a photo and painting exhibition depicting rains in the city, romanticise drinking of coffee in the rain, and a fashion contest.

The festival will be under the aegis of the National Tourism Year 2014 – Central Highlands.

Dien Bien Phu victory celebration boosts tourism
 
According to the Dien Bien Province Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the success of a programme to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Viet Nam's victory at Dien Bien Phu and a series of cultural events have helped Dien Bien tourism achieve strong growth.

The province welcomed 315,000 visitors, including 48,800 foreigners, in the first six months of the year, a 66 per cent year-on-year rise.

Quang Ninh opens tours to new tourism destinations
 
Quang Ninh Province has listed three new tours and 12 tourist destinations in the city of Mong Cai.

The tours are around the city centre and from the centre to Tra Co beach and to Po Hen Memorial Monument.

The city centre includes the Mong Cai border gate with China, Bac Luan bridge, National Landmark No 1369, Xa Tac Temple, Ka Long Bridge, and several markets and trade centres.

The second tour takes in the Tra Co – Binh Ngoc T-junction, Tra Co Temple, Tra Co Church, Xuan Lan Pagoda, Nam Tho Pagoda, Vinh Thuan Golf, and the Sa Vy border information complex.

The third passes through the Mong Cai International Border Gate, Bac Luan bridge, National Landmark No1369, Po Hen Memorial Monument, and markets and trade centres. All these places have been named new tourism destinations.

Source: VNS http://vietnamtourism.gov.vn