Vietnam posts 'No Trespassing' sign
Vietnam's central city of Danang is desperately trying to
lure foreign investors with tax breaks and land deals,
but at least one new development project remains
off-limits to foreigners. The Ministry of Defence has
decided that only Vietnamese companies will be
permitted to participate in building a tourism complex
along the Son Tra peninsula, 15 kilometres northeast of
Danang, which has long been closed to day-trippers
due to its strategic military importance.
The ministry
approved the project in July after two years of lobbying
by the local government, which sees lucrative tourism
potential in forests brimming with monkeys and beaches
rich with coral and other marine life. Mindful of Son
Tra's two military bases and radar tower--which will
remain in place--the Defence Ministry cites security
concerns in preferring domestic investors, according to
Lam Quang Minh, vice-director of Danang's
department of planning and investment.
But foreign
tourists will be welcome. Not surprisingly, the door
remains open to military-owned construction companies
to bid on the project along with other local firms.
The Far Eastern Economic Review - August 15, 2002.
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