Mekong Delta Tourism:

Mekong Delta Tourism:

Master Plan Needed

Problems remain on how to invest more in tourism and how to mobilise the public in the development tourism culture

On October 3, 2003, in Can Tho Mekong Festival, a seminar " Mekong Delta tourism potentials and investment opportunities " was organised by Can Tho Tourism Service and Van Lang University. Participants were researchers, representatives of tourism and trade services in the region and tourism companies.

The Mekong Delta has a strong attraction in its wilderness, diversity and richness in ecology, landscapes and population. In addition to such famous destinations as Vinh Trang pagoda, Thoi Son islet, Dong Tam snake farm (Tien Giang), Truong An tourism centre, Binh Hoa Phuoc islet (Vinh Long), Ba Tri bird haven (Ben Tre), Phong Dien floating market, Bang Lang stork garden (Can Tho), coastal mangrove forests, etc. more destinations and tours will be developed namely An Giang tour in flood season, high-speed boat tours to Can Tho, Chau Doc, Phnom Penh, etc. There is, however, an unsolved problem, that is public education on tourism. The tourists are often harassed by hawkers. "How to prolong the tourists' stay?", Mr Do Van Hoang, General Manager of Saigon Tourist asked and pointed out : There must be further development of different ecological areas, integration into the daily life of the population, excursion combined rest and shopping. Though colourful and diversified, Mekong Delta still lacks of rest and recreation centres, large and airy restaurants, better river boats, museums on Oc Eo culture, regional nature and agriculture that provides an overall look of the Mekong Delta.

In fact, there is no master plan for the development of tourism in the Mekong Delta making tourist products repetitious and boring. According to Mr. Hoang, there must be a complete planning, each province must have its own attraction to keep back tourists place to place. Tourists must have the chance to live closer with the local people, for examples, bringing tourists to farmers' home, sharing with them foods and drinks. Saigon Tourist has experimented a successful programme of celebrating traditional Tet in Tien Giang. This year, Saigon Tourist will develop further this programme to attract foreign visitors. The tour along the Mekong river will also be combined with eco-tourism. The tour upstream to Angkorwat (Cambodia) will certainly attract more tourists.

After the festival, many ideas have been elaborated for further development of tourism in the Mekong Delta. A helipad has been built in Ca Mau cape and will be operated in December this year, opening an exciting tour to the Southern tip of Vietnam.

Problems remain on how to invest more in tourism and how to mobilise the public in the development tourism culture.

(vietnamnet)