Located in the South East Asian region, where tourism activities are evolving ebulliently, Vietnam has a rather favourable geographical position for international communication and economic development, ensuring its integration with regional and world-wide tourist development.

Despite its ongoing liberalisation and the pressures of rapid development, Vietnam has managed to preserve its rich civilisation and highly cultured society. Advancements in tourism over the last 30 years are undeniable: in 1988, Vietnam received only 92,500 international visitors, which increased to over 3.4 million in 2005, thus upgrading the level of Vietnam’s long-term economic prospect from ‘stable’ to ‘active’.

Determined to develop tourism as its dominant foreign exchange earner, the Vietnamese government has released a management plan and organisational system to strengthen the function of State control upon tourist activities. Short and long-term objectives are planned up to the year 2010, to include: diversification and improvement of tourism products to meet the world market, designation of areas of outstanding natural beauty to be preserved and protected, domestic and overseas investment in popular resorts and infrastructure, and research into Vietnam’s present tourist market.

Emerging as a popular new destination for international travellers, especially backpackers and students, Vietnam continues to impress visitors with its sublime coastline, ancient villages and stunning mountain regions. As the country’s commercial centre, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is home to a growing number of excellent restaurants and shops selling quality linens, crafts, clothes and accessories by local hill tribes. Cool weather and placid lakes characterise Dalat, with its magnificent variety of flower gardens - the gateway to the highland region is affectionately referred to as the ‘Valley of Love’ by tourists.

More than 70% of the leisure destinations of Vietnam are located in coastal areas, attracting 80% of the total number of visitors every year. Not surprisingly then, two of the most renowned – Ha Long Bay & Hue – have been recognised as world natural and cultural heritage sites by UNESCO. Situated on the beautiful Song Huong or Perfume River, the ancient city of Hue is the most important historical monument in Vietnam, boasting tombs and palaces from the reign of the Nguyen Emperors.

Often touted by proud Vietnamese as the eighth wonder of the world, Ha Long Bay literally means ‘Bay of the Descending Dragon’ - according to local myth, the story goes as follows: long ago, when forefathers were fighting foreign invaders, the gods in heaven sent a family of dragons to help defend the land. These dragons descended upon what is now Ha Long Bay and began spitting out jewels and jade. Upon hitting the sea, these jewels turned into various islands and inlets dotting the seascape, eventually creating a formidable fortress against the invaders - locals were able to keep their land safe for the rest of time. Although somewhat sentimental in content, the fable resurrects the magic and mystery of ancient Vietnam.

A land of spectacular contrasts and rich cultural diversity, stringent followers of the ‘tourist trail’ will undoubtedly miss some of Vietnam’s most treasured gems. But with foreign investment on the increase, as evidenced by the announcement that US based Wininvest Group is to develop a $300 million leisure and entertainment complex in central Vietnam, it is now the challenge of the Vietnamese government to discover and maintain the perfect balance; that which will preserve cultural antiquity whilst encouraging a steady increase in tourist resources.