Several measures have been proposed in order to foster the development of tourism in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta region which still lacks many products and services.

Mekong Delta struggles to improve tourism industry

Many in the industry have commented that the region has yet to reach its potential as far as tourism due to the lack of diversified products, unprofessional attitudes and insufficient investment.

Many visitors from the the west consider the Mekong as one of the most beautiful rivers in the world. Canals in the region are so poetic for being surrounded by hicks and green fields.

Despite that advantage, tourism services and products in the region have yet to become very diversified.

“There has been nothing significant added to the tourism industry in Can Tho City. There are the Cai Rang floating market, Binh Thuy temple, old houses and a Khmer pagoda. Many tourists said that they wonder what to do when they are in the city for two or three days,” said Phan Xuan Anh, Chairman of Viet Excursion Company.

Many blame the situation on inconvenient transportation as well as the absence of high-end hotels.

“Those who visit the central region can visit almost all the tourist sites in a day,” said Phan Dinh Hue, Director of Vong Tron Viet Travel Company.

Even though Tien and Hau Rivers boast of luxury tourism services, such many cannot deliver.

“The luxury hotels and restaurants hire only foreign staff, mainly Cambodians, instead of locals, who are said to be bad at foreign languages and unable to handle pressure,” Phan Xuan Anh said.

In order to make full use of the region's advantages, community-based tourism has been considered the most suitable direction for the region.

“Community-based tourism could boost the industry in the region, giving access to outsiders of the natural beauty that is already there, including fields,  villagers’ houses, agricultural products, and art products,” Phan Dinh Hue commented.

According to Hue, this type of tour is quite affordable, at around USD10 per person per night, and have the extra advantage of increasing the incomes of locals with little initial investment.