2:59:00 PM | 7/27/2005
According to Vietnam Administration of Tourism (VAT), with rich natural resources and culture, Vietnam has recorded stable development attracting more tourists and investment. On the occasion of 45th commemoration of the establishment of Vietnam tourism (July 9, 1960 - July 7, 2005), VIB Forum wishes to introduce the article by Ms Vo Thi Thang, General Director of VAT on the integration and development of the sector.
After 45 years of development, especially in the years of renewal, Vietnam tourism has made unprecedented progress. It serves as a strong foundation for Vietnam tourism in the process of integration and development, making tourism a spearheaded industry in early years of the 21st century.
Vietnam tourism started operating in the conditions of war and shortage of facilities and staff. It made great efforts to meet the demand of hosting foreign delegations and guests of the Party and government. After the national reunification in 1975, it expanded both facilities and human resources, with large-scale and diversified activities making tourism an important economic sector. It becomes more dynamic and adaptable to the new conditions. The Party documents have pointed out the importance of tourism as a multi-sectoral, inter-regional and highly socialised industry and confirmed the determination ldquo;to make Vietnam a sizeable trade and tourist centre of the regionrdquo; and ldquo; expeditiously develop tourism into a spearheaded economyrdquo;. With VAT recommendation, the Party Poliburo discussed and issued Conclusion 179 on tourist development in the new conditions. Consequently, a State Steering Committee on Tourism has been established and headed by a Deputy Prime Minister. At the same time, the Prime Minister has endorsed a National Programme of Action on Tourism and its successful implementation since 2000 has brought about bright prospect for the sector. Legal documents such as Ordinance of Tourism with Guiding Decrees on implementation and most recently Law on Tourism have been approved and enforced. Research and development have been conducted on the strategy and master plan as well as the planning of key tourist centres and over 50 provinces and cities.
The formation of policy, mechanism and legal framework have strongly boosted the development of tourism, especially infrastructure and human resources, increasing public awareness on tourism. In the past years, the State has financed VND2,146 billion upgrading infrastructure, and encouraged localities to develop their advantages and attract investments in tourism. As a result, the infrastructure has been improved with over 5,900 establishments and 120,000 rooms. Means of transport, land, sea, rail and air , have been modernised. Tourist centres, golf courses, recreation parks have been operated and capable of receiving millions of tourists a year. The tourist sector continues a growth rate of over 11 per cent a year in both infrastructure and tourists, with a revenue of over US$1 billion a year and increasingly new jobs for the population.
In recent years, despite adverse impacts such as terrorism, wars, SARS and bird flu, with timely counter measures, Vietnam tourism continues two-digital growth rates. Over 3.2 million tourists and over US$2 billion in revenue are expected in 2005, twice those of 1999. Tourism has helped improve the conditions of urban and rural areas, economic, cultural and social life, protect the environment, increase in-place export of commodities and service, develop related industries, restructure economic mechanism in line with industrialisation and modernisation, restore and develop cultural relics, arts and traditional craft. Tourism has also contributed to the exchanges between regions and countries, the understanding and friendship, the position of Vietnam in international arena. Vietnam tourism has developed partnership with over 1,000 tourist companies, including big companies in 60 countries and territories, members of international tourist organisation, Asia-Pacific and South East Asia associations. Vietnam has signed tourist agreements with many countries and actively participated in sub-regional, regional and inter-regional co-operation, attracting resources, technology and experiences in human resources development, tourist promotion and international integration.
The training of human resources has been upgraded with better teaching staff, curriculum and methods, together with scientific research and application. As a result, 230,000 skilled workers and nearly 500,000 indirect employees have been trained. In fact, VAT and local organisations have overcome all difficulties and performed as a ministry of tourism.
However, there are certain weaknesses. The number of tourists and turnover are far below the regional standard. The organisation and staff are incompatible with the function of a spearheaded industry. There remain much to be done with policy and mechanism, planning and investment, marketing and competition. Besides, tourist potentials and natural environment are in danger of mismanagement; limited investment fails to meet high demand, low income of the population could not boost tourism. Those problems must be resolved to speed up the development of tourism.
Vietnam tourism must make a breakthrough in 2006-2010 period to keep pace with the international integration. The number of foreign tourists must reach 5.5-6 million in 2010, three times of 2000 and growth rate of 11.4 per cent, together with 25 million domestic tourists, over two times of 2000. The turnover must be US$4 - 4.5 billion, increasing to 6.5 per cent of GDP. The long-term goal is to make Vietnam a leading country of the region in tourism by 2020.
Vietnamese
