Tourism service records high growth
HANOI - In 2001, Viet Nam's tourism service welcomed 2.336 million foreign arrivals and
served 12.3 million local holiday-makers, up by 9.2 percent and 6 percent year on year, respectively.
The figures also represented respective increases of 6 percent and 4 percent over the yearly targets
although the Sept. 11 attack in the United States caused the cancellation of 150,000 individual contracts.
The smokeless industry has, therefore, netted a revenue of USD 1,036 million so far this year.
The achievements are in part attributed to the Viet Nam Tourism Administration's promotion campaigns for
the nation's traditional culture and famous historic relic sites such as former imperial Hue city and ancient Hoi
An town with their World Cultural Heritage titles, and eco-tourism sites such as the Can Gio mangrove forests
which was recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as
the world Biosphere Zone.
As a result, the industry has managed to open a new direct tour from Ha Noi to China's Kunming province.
Simple procedures such as tourist cards and bordergate tourist visa issuance have helped the VTA take a
firm foothold in the neighbouring market.
By offering groups' entry visas at seaports across the country for sea voyage tourists, the industry has
managed to gain a considerable share in Japan, the Republic of Korea, Thailand, and Singapore.
Huge investments have been poured into infrastructural facilities, upgrading 110 hotels with 13,000 rooms
into three-to five-star rankings.
Personnel have also been given intensive training to meet demand for the international standard services.
The industry has won Euro 12 million project on personnel training from the European Union, and another
project from the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA). A tourism cooperation agreement with
Brunei and a joint statement on tourism with Germany have also helped strengthen the industry's capacity.
In preparation for the 22nd SEA Games to be held in Viet Nam in 2003, the industry has been investing in
four major tourist sites, mostly tapping the natural beauty spots, and a number of sites with different tourist
interests.
Vietnam News Agency - December 27, 2002.
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