Mekong Delta to get nine focal tourism projects

Vietnam’s tourism industry will invest in three national tourism areas and six national tourist sites in the Mekong Delta, according to Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT).
Nguyen Van Tuan, head of VNAT, said the projects in question are Thoi Son Island, Phu Quoc Island and coastal areas, Nam Can Mangrove Forest, Lang He resort, Dong Thap Muoi area, Ha Tien Town, Tram Chim National Park, Ong Ho Isle and Sam Mountain.
In addition to these tourism venues, each province will also combine its strengths with tourism development strategies, Tuan said on the sidelines of an international tourism conference in HCMC on Tuesday.
The provinces of Bac Lieu, Ca Mau and Soc Trang, for example, will take advantage of their traditional festivals such as Ok Om Bok Festival or Ngo Boat Race to attract tourists. Meanwhile, Can Tho City and Phu Quoc Island will be the main tourist sites of the whole region.
Special features including eco-tourism need to be highlighted to boost the region’s tourism. Connectivity among tourism products and services between provinces should be built.
The Mekong Delta is targeting 2.7 million international tourists and 5.2 million visitors in 2015. Only 1.2 million foreigners came to the region in 2010 while there was no accurate number of domestic visitors.