Co-ordinated efforts by the
Government, local and tourism authorities, and the travel industry are needed to
develop a strong brand for Vietnamese coastal tourism, experts have said.

Tourists frolic in the surface at Nha Trang Beach in the central province of Khanh Hoa. Authorities and travel firms are being urged to focus on the country’s most attractive features in order to promote the country’s tourism sector. (Photo: VNS)

“A
development strategy for [developing a] brand should be drafted and supported by
the Government and tourism associations,” Dr Nguyen Van Luu, deputy head of the
Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s Training Department, told a seminar in
Mui Ne last week.

The
seminar, on developing coastal tourism, was held under the aegis of the four-day
International Sailing festival in Binh Thuan Province which closed on Sunday.

Tourism
authorities and companies should focus on the country’s typical and most
attractive features – like safety, friendliness, and hospitality – to create the
brand, Luu said.

To
strengthen that brand, good tourism products should be created.

Dr
Nguyen Anh Tuan of the Viet Nam National Administration of Tourism, in a
presentation that was distributed to delegates, said Viet Nam remained
relatively undiscovered by global tourists, which is a strength.

“It has
advantages like picturesque bays, long and beautiful beaches, and unexplored
islands and caves,” he said.

He
suggested five sub-brands based on an area’s attractions: Sea-landscape for Ha
Long Bay, relaxation and cultural heritage (Hue city, Hoi An, My Son), long stay and
relaxation by the sea in the central region, sea sports in Nha Trang and Mui Ne,
and sea-island exploration in Phu Quoc and Con Dao.

In doing
so, localities should focus on competitive tourism products and invest in key
projects like high-end resorts while preserving natural landscapes, several
participants said.

It was
necessary to develop wharves for tourist boats and sea routes to meet tourists’
needs.

Dr Vo
Sang Xuan Lan, head of Van Lang University’s tourism faculty, also in a
presentation that was distributed, said the sea tourism brand should factor in
destinations, service providers and culture, including folk culture, the habits,
customs and nature of people.

He cited
the example of Hoi An, which has become a popular tourist destination due to the
preservation of the ancient town and its people, who are fully aware of their
role in welcoming visitors and conserving the environment and their heritage.

Ngo Minh
Chinh, director of Binh Thuan’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism,
suggested that major events like yacht races and surfing and beauty contests
should be organised to promote coastal and island tourism.

Viet Nam
as a destination for tourism, especially coastal tourism, is still not very
popular, figures from the ASEAN Travel Forum 2010 show. Last year Malaysia
attracted more than 18 million international visitors, Thailand received almost
16 million, Singapore was third with 10.5 million, and Indonesia welcomed 7
million.

Viet Nam
ranked fifth with more than 5 million arrivals above the Philippines, Cambodia,
Laos, Myanmar and Brunei, the remaining ASEAN members.

Viet Nam
has a coastline of more than 3,200km and thousands of islands. It has famous
bays like world heritage Ha Long, Lang Co and Nha Trang.

Non Nuoc
in Da Nang and Bai Dai in Phu Quoc Island are among the world’s most beautiful
beaches.

The
country also has spectacular caves, including Phong Nha and Son Mong (newly
discovered) in the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.

VietNamNet/Viet
Nam News