A number of conferences and seminars were held in the Mekong River Delta to tap tourism potential in the region. Most experts said the tourism sector in the region has recently obtained significant developments with the diversification of tourism models such as eco-tourism, tourist resorts, historic and cultural tourism. However, these models have not been effective so far.

Lack of identity and trademark

In fact, historic relics and tourism sites in the provinces have not been fully tapped due to lack of cooperation between provinces in the region. Tourism products remain similar while services are not professional enough to attract tourists.

Another problem is that although restaurants and hotels have developed rapidly, the region lacks high-end and luxury ones. None of the provinces have built an entertainment site and a conference venue to international standards so far. In addition, according to statistics from the Research Institute for Tourism Development, unskilled tourism staff in the state sector accounts for 50 percent while the rate in the private sector is only 30 percent. The region still lack experts who can build new tourism products and good tourist guides as well as professional service staff. Therefore, travel and tourism agencies in the region are not strong enough to receive international visitors but only local visitors from HCM City and Hanoi.

In recent times, the Mekong River Delta has paid special attention to tourism promotion activities. The aim of the co-operation programme is to share experiences in management, planning, investment, tourism promotion, development of tourism products and training of human resources.

Orientations to develop tourism in the Mekong River Delta

Many opinions are that it is important to find characteristics of each province to establish trans-Mekong River Delta tours. Mr Vo Hung Dung, Director of the Vietnam Chammber of Commerce and Industry in Can Tho City said the provinces should consider tourism products as a common asset. In addition, apart from setting up trans-tours, it is also necessary to pay attention to the individual characteristics of each province to fully tap its tourism potential. For example, visitors can go to floating markets in Can Tho City, pagodas in An Giang and the sea and islands in Kien Giang, the forests in Ca Mau and isles and orchards in Tien Giang and Ben Tre. If these things can be carried out, tourists will stay longer and spend more money, faciliating the development of services in the region.

It is necessary to promote cooperation in tourism among the Mekong River Delta provinces as it brings huge benefits to each locality. The problem is whether the provinces are ready to carry out the signed coperation programmes or not. Each locality has to fully explore cooperation opportunities amongst the provinces and find ways to promote its tourism potential to create products with special characteristics, suitable to local and foreign visitors.