Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has approved master plans on developing tourism in the southeastern and southern central coastal regions until 2020 with a vision for 2030.

Accordingly, the southeastern region will become a powerful driver of tourism development with diversified and attractive products.

The region including Ho Chi Minh City, and Tay Ninh, Binh Phuoc, Binh Duong, Dong Nai and Ba Ria-Vung Tau provinces, is set to welcome 30 million tourists in 2020 and 50 million arrivals in 2030, including 12 million foreign visitors.

It will pay heed to both domestic and international markets, focusing on Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, East Europe, and expansion to India, Turkey and the Middle East.

Meanwhile, the southern central coastal region (Da Nang city, and Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan provinces) sets a target of turning tourism into the region’s key economy in 2020 and its economic spearhead by 2030.

The region expects to serve around 25 million visitors, grossing US$7.52 billion in 2030. It targets tourists from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Central Highlands provinces, as well as Northeast Asian markets, including Japan, the Republic of Korea and China.

The Prime Minister has also signed a decision recognising Cua Lo in central Nghe An province a marine tourism urban area.