The 5th Mekong Delta investment forum (MekongInvest 2017) took place in Can Tho city on October 25 to call for investment in tourism projects across 13 regional localities.
An overview of Cai Rang floating market, a tourist destination in the Mekong Delta (Photo: SGGP)
Can Tho (VNA) - The 5th MekongDelta investment forum (MekongInvest 2017) took place in Can Tho city on October25 to call for investment in tourism projects across 13 regional localities.
Thirty-three realty and tourism projects,with total capital amounting to nearly 7.8 trillion VND (343.2 million USD),were introduced at the event.
Speaking at the forum, Nguyen Tri Hieu, aneconomic expert, said local tourism falls short of potential due to incompleteinfrastructure, limited air and waterway travel services, and a lack of otherservices serving tourists’ demand for entertainment and health care.
Hieu said the sector is in need of stronginvestment to grow and noted investors want more support from local authoritiesto access favourable policies and planning information.
Vo Hung Dung, Director of the VietnamChamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI)’s branch in Can Tho, said the delta isearmarked to accommodate 100,000 rooms by 2030, of which about 30 percent was rankedthree – five stars.
He pointed to the fact that the region nowhas just about 60 three- and five-star hotels that accommodate a total of 8,000rooms, mainly in Phu Quoc island and Can Tho city.
The region is home to only two majorentertainment complexes, one large-scale rest stop and no regional-scaleshopping centre, he added.
Pham The Trieu, deputy head of the regionalTourism Association, suggested local tourism firms form connectivity and boostquality of their workforce, particularly in customer services and foreignlanguage capacity.
As heard at the function, in the past eightyears, Mekong Delta’s tourism grew over an average of 10 percent annually.
In 2016, the region welcomed 28 milliontourists and reeled in 15 trillion VND (660 million USD). Goals have been setfor the figures to hit 34 million tourist arrivals and 25 trillion VND (1.1billion USD) by 2020, which means substantial efforts are required.
The MekongInvest is held annually by the VCCIand the Investment and Trade Promotion Centre in the Mekong Delta.-VNA
Measures to realise a master plan on tourism development in the Mekong Delta to 2020 with a vision to 2030 were discussed at a conference held in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho on April 5.
Experts and travel operators gathered at a workshop in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho on June 9 to seek ways to promote the region’s tourism potential.
Some 2.4 million people visited the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap in the first nine months of the year, a year-on-year hike of 23 percent, according to the provincial People’s Committee.
The third Vietnam-Japan trade and cultural exchange programme and fifth annual Mekong Delta investment forum will be held in Can Tho city in October and November to lure more investment in trade and services from Japanese businesses.
The first and only direct service connecting the two countries at the moment is set to operate three times per week using the modern wide-body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
Mu Cang Chai is home to nearly 83,000 hectares of forest, including almost 60,000 hectares of unspoiled natural woodland. Recognising this potential, local authorities have embraced a holistic strategy that protects biodiversity while promoting tourism.
Phu Quoc ranks among the top 10 leading tourist islands in Asia. As the largest island in Vietnam, it boasts stunning natural beauty, with expansive coral reefs resting beneath the sea and a number of beautiful, poetic beaches such as Sao, Truong, and Khem, known for their fine white sand and crystal-clear waters.
Vietnam's national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet are among the exhibitors, promoting key destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Phu Quoc, as well as distinctive tourism products.
Alexander Musikhin, Vice President of ATOR and CEO of the Intourist travel agency, highlighted Vietnam as a top destination offering a unique blend of beach holidays and cultural excursions.
According to Seoul’s Tourism Industry Department, approximately 20,000 Vietnamese visitors travel to the city each year for medical treatment. Vietnam consistently ranks among the top 10 countries with the highest number of medical tourists to Seoul.
An analysis of accommodation search data based on check-in dates for June and July revealed that Nha Trang surpassed all other destinations in popularity among Korean users.
The programme is organised by the Khanh Hoa provincial Youth Union and the “Khanh Hoa people speak English” Project, and aims to promote the culture, history, cuisine and other tourism products of Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa to international visitors.
VNAT Director General Nguyen Trung Khanh called visa a golden ticket to pulling in crowds, but he is clear that it needs coordinated efforts across multiple sectors to keep the momentum going in this fast-moving global travel scene.
As a tourism hub, Hanoi is now actively developing strategies to attract Muslim travellers. In recent years, the city has seen a notable uptick in visitors from countries with large Muslim populations.
When tourists witness firsthand the passion and care of farmers, they’re willing to pay higher prices because they see the genuine worth behind every product.
During the first five months, China continued to be Vietnam's largest source market of tourists, followed by the RoK, China’s Taiwan, the US, and Japan.
After more than three months of operation, the popularity of the free tours in Bac Ninh province shows no signs of cooling down. Many tourists return every week in hopes of experiencing all the tours and visiting every destination.
Typical products of Phu Tho are being showcased at the Lao Cai International Travel Mart 2025, held in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai from June 5-8.
Featuring 130 stalls and delegations from 120 travel agencies representing more than ten countries and territories, the event is expected to provide a platform for establishing partnerships and attracting more visitors to Lao Cai in the future.
Kicking off the festival on the evening of June 7 will be the grand music concert titled “Nha Trang Say Hi”, featuring popular artists from the trending show “Anh Trai Say Hi”. The event will be broadcast live nationwide and conclude with a fireworks display over Nha Trang Bay.
Data from Booking.com reveals that during the peak summer vacation in June and July, beach trips continue to be a top priority for Vietnamese travellers.
The northern midland province of Phu Tho has carried out all-round measures to improve tourism infrastructure, services, and offerings, elevating visitor experience and reinforcing the province’s unique cultural identity.
Hanoi has directed lodging providers and tourist destinations to bolster preparations in staffing, service quality, security, and sanitation. Community-based lodging platforms such as Airbnb are also being promoted strongly to expand housing supply during the holiday period.
An overview of Cai Rang floating market, a tourist destination in the Mekong Delta (Photo: SGGP) 
