VietNamNet Bridge - A project to develop tourism in the Mekong Delta in the context of climate change has been signed by three parties, including real estate developer Novaland, the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and the Military Bank (MB).

Tourism products will be developed in a way to promote local cultural identity

The project aims to connect and develop tourism in 13 provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta by putting forward suitable models which can take full advantage of local potential. 

Tourism products will be developed in a way to both ensure international standards and promote local cultural identity.

Managing director of BCG Vietnam Christopher Lewis Malone said that, once the project is in full swing, the Delta will become a “precious stone” of Vietnam’s tourism which can keep abreast with other waterway tourism sites in the world, like the Nile River Delta in Egypt.  

If so, the tourism sector would generate millions jobs and increase income that could help preserve cultural and natural heritage sites.

Experts all agree that the Mekong Delta has rich and diverse tourism resources, both natural and cultural, especially small towns and waterway tourism. However, the number of tourists to the region remains modest.

Tran Huy Phuoc, 32, from Tay Ninh province, who likes trekking, said that services offered don’t satisfy guests. “You have to pay VND50,000 just to pick a mango or plum. The toilets there are so bad and garbage collection doesn’t receive appropriate attention,” he said.

Meanwhile, Le Truong Giang, director of Vinh Sang Tourism Site in Vinh Long province, said to lure travelers, the services must have high quality and stable prices.

“If you simply imitate tourism development methods somewhere, travelers will come only once and never return,” he said.

Ha Van Sieu, deputy general director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), said there is a similarity in tourism products offered by cities and provinces. 

Don ca tai tu (traditional music and song in the south of Vietnam) and food, for example, are designed for all kinds of tours. As a result, travelers visit only one city or province in the delta and don’t return.

Other places do not update their services. My Tho Town in Tien Giang province, for example, is a well-known destination. However, tourists come and leave within a day because there are not many tourism products and services to enjoy, and they have been the same for 20 years. 

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