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TOURISM IN THE MEKONG DELTA
What are the biggest advantages of
the Mekong Delta in terms of tourism?
The Mekong Delta is the rice bas-
ket of Vietnam, the richest fruit grow-
ing area, and it has the most bountiful
seas. The plains next to the rivers and
canals are covered with verdant luxu-
riant fruit gardens and paddy fields.
The Mekong Delta, in fact, has very
high potential to develop ecotourism
with its many craft villages as well as
chances to try a homestay with hospi-
table farmers.
With a strategic position the Me-
kong Delta borders Cambodia to the
west, while the east, the south and
southwest face the East Sea with over
700km of coastline with hundreds of
beautiful islands and islets, the most fa-
mous being Phu Quoc. The area, there-
fore, is perfect for sea and island tour-
ism, ecosea tourism, ecotourism and
adventure tourism.
Are you satisfied with the results of
tourism development in the Mekong
Delta region over the past few years?
In 2012, the Mekong Delta tourism
industry welcomed nearly 20 million
tourists, of which more than 1.6 million
were foreigners, earning revenue of
VND4,344 billion - an increase of 23.2
per cent over the year 2011. In the first
six months of 2013, there were around
12 million tourists - 8.6 per cent higher
than the same period last year.
This is thanks to growing inter-
national recognition. For example, in
2012 the Lonely Planet selected Viet-
nam’s Mekong Delta provinces as one
of the ten best tourist destinations in
the world.
Difference
is the key
Pham Phuoc Nhu
, chairman of
Mekong Delta Tourism Associa-
tion, speaks to
Phu Khoi
about
the strengths of the delta region
as well as the way ahead for its
development
The cow racing festival is a major
annual event in the Mekong Delta