New millennium, new Vietnam

Vietnam’s war fought against the United States

some 20 years ago marked a lasting impression on

the watching world.

Today, people have finally begun to look at the country

from another perspective.

Only two years ago this country gathered its tourism

officials to converge efforts for welcoming tourists around

the globe.

The potentials of tourism for the country were recognized

by the government, by passing a National Action Program

on Tourism, that aims to make Vietnam “a destination for

the new millennium”.

To prepare for this gargantuan task, Vietnamese tourist

organizations and travel agencies attended several

important international tourism forums, conferences and

travel fairs in key markets such as Japan, France,

England, Germany, Australia, China, and other countries

in America and Europe.

The timing is perfect. The new millennium officially begins

on January 1, 2001, but as early as this year, Vietnam’s

Department of Tourism has launched an organized plan to

lure more tourists into their country.

In a new century full of hope and change, Vietnam’s

major decision was greeted with open arms by the

traveling market.

Tourism officials plotted a target number, and they

accomplished this goal before the year ended: two million

travelers visited Vietnam this year.

Vietnam’s Department of Tourism, in cooperation with

Vietnam Airlines and other tourism-related organizations,

also launched a tourism project called “Gap Go Thien Nien

Ky Moi” or “New Millennium Rendezvous”, rounding up

almost 100 foreign media and travel personnel.

The event is meant to promote further Ho Chi Minh City

and Vietnam’s image to the international community, by

showing the different travel spots of the country through

a familiarization trip with the participants.

Eighty-five delegates from media and travel trade of 18

countries and territories took part in the event.

Le Thaun Hai, first vice president of HCM People

Committee, said that Vietnam is going full time to develop

their aviation and tourism industries.

“The local government of Ho Chi Minh is making a step

forward to extend our country to the international

community. We have realized how tourism can play an

active part in bringing jobs and revenue to the people,”

he said.

The government has also adopted several new

inter-ministerial regulations to facilitate restructuring of

the city, promotion of tourism exchange, and encourage

visa exemption for travelers from ASEAN and other

countries.

Hai also proudly announced that Vietnam’s tourism figures

have rapidly increased from 750,000 in 1990, one million

in 1994, and two million this year.

“We are aware of our potentials as a tourist destination.

We have improved our services, the cost of living is

inexpensive, we offer a variety of tourist products. Our

tour packages, including sea resort activities, mountain

climbing and cultural activities, rival any of those in other

countries,” he said.

Besides favorite basic tours such as cultural, highland

and seaside tours, trekking, scuba diving, rail tours, tour

operators have formulated some totally new tours and

new destinations which ensure tourists fresh feelings of

Vietnam.

As a potential major tourist destination in Asia in the

coming years, Vietnam is gearing for the big time, not

just for the “American dream”, but one that’s real as a

Vietnamese smile. (Chris Datol)