Readers say VN should promote its beaches and cheap shopping
Posted by Bao Viet Nam on September 13, 2009
Readers say VN should promote its beaches and cheap shopping
Last week: Viet Nam News asked its readers about their feelings when visiting Viet Nam and ways to improve its tourism.
Peter Howick, Irish, Dublin
As a tourist and someone who has lived in Viet Nam, I am riding two horses.
Tourists are tempted by many things: attractions, safety, novelty, competence and value for money. On some, Viet Nam scores highly. On others not.
The plus side is that Viet Nam has some fabulous attractions. Ha Long Bay, Sapa, the glories of the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta.
Sadly, in my country there is only slight knowledge of Viet Nam after the American War, because promotion of Viet Nam is underfunded.
Viet Nam needs a personality or an image to get a simple message across. Viet Nam, The Hidden Charm is not a good slogan. Nothing is hidden in Viet Nam when you get there. Amazing Thailand is a much more attractive headline and is heavily promoted.
Secondly, it would help if arrivals were given a leaflet at the airport telling them the do’s and don’ts in Viet Nam.
Thirdly, there needs to be more education for hotel staff outside the big expensive hotels.
Ireland found it hard to attract tourists until it encouraged cheap travel and put money into attractions like golf courses.
People who play golf come back. Gamblers come back. Beach lovers come back!
I never knew that Viet Nam’s beaches were so great until I came here.
The country could stop charging for visas for a while to see if this attracts more tourists.
Graham Bassett, British, London
Since I first visited Viet Nam in 2007, I have been amazed at the resilience of its people and, yes, I find them on the whole, friendly and usually helpful.
This week: |
However, Viet Nam doesn’t really push itself as a holiday destination in the West.
The new airport terminal in HCM City is a marked improvement over the old one. However, I see that old habits still refuse to die, with at least one taxi driver currently still afflicted.
On my arrival in Viet Nam last week, a man come up to me asking whether I required a taxi. I asked how much (to District 1). One million dong ($56) was the reply. Such rip-off merchants should really be locked up as they tarnish the image that visitors to Viet Nam see. I paid 120,000 dong ($7), which is about average.
Again the standard of driving, even among coach drivers, can make the hair stand on end. Especially when five lines of traffic appear on a four lane road! As for overtaking on blind bends, words fail me!
One tends to ignore the scenery, closes ones eyes and starts praying when that happens. It can also make people wonder whether they should come again.
But assuming I live to arrive at my destination. Some of the sights (and beaches) are truly spectacular and a sight to be hold.
Nobuo Konno, Japanese, Ha Noi
I came to Viet Nam for business, and have been enjoying life here for three years.
I have visited many places, met many kinds of people, and I think I am understanding Vietnamese culture and people.
The best thing I can say about Viet Nam is that it is a peaceful and friendly country. However, it has some disadvantages which sometimes cause foreigners, and Vietnamese themselves, to be dissatisfied.
Firstly, the smoke from so many kinds of motorbike is making air pollution in Viet Nam worse. In my opinion, the Vietnamese Government should issue a strict rule, forcing motorbike makers to reduce exhaust smoke to the minimum.
Secondly, the hotel service is too expensive compared to other Asian countries, given that the income of citizens is not so high. This means that foreigners are overcharged, and Vietnamese have little chance to enjoy.
Attracting more investors is the solution. Competition between them would bring cheaper and better service to Viet Nam.
Thirdly, there are many small travel agencies which cannot satisfy customers. I have visited some and asked for simple information like: “What can I enjoy there? How long does the tour take?”
But almost always, the answer I receive is: “I will ask my boss and answer you later.”
I think travel agencies should recruit foreign language speakers and ensure each has a full understanding of the value each product can offer customers.
Tim Russell, British, HCM City
Foreign tourists are aware of Viet Nam and its attractions, but more needs to be done to make it easier for tourists to visit Viet Nam, and to encourage them to come back a second time.
There are three problems that need addressing.
Firstly, there is the visa issue. You recently reported that the number of Vietnamese visitors to Cambodia has increased, due largely to an easing of visa restrictions.
By creating a simple visa on arrival process, the number of tourist visitors to Viet Nam would increase.
Secondly, considerable training and education is needed to instill a culture of fairness and respect among people working in tourism-related businesses – they need to learn that a happy tourist will spread the word and will come back, whereas an unhappy one will leave with a bad impression of the country.
Thirdly, Viet Nam needs to learn what makes it attractive to foreign visitors, by listening to and taking advice from tourists and expat residents.
A clue – it’s not culture, history or water puppet shows. It’s cheap shopping, great beaches, good restaurants and, in Sai Gon at least, fun night life.
Cultural tourists only tend to visit a place once. Holiday makers – those who travel for fun, for cheap beer, and for lazy days on the beach – will return to a favourite spot again and again. And there are millions out there.
Sann Oo, Burmese, Yangon
In the field of tourism, your country has a promising situation among Southeast Asian countries because of the many unspoiled natural beauties, and great architecture in Ha Noi. Vietnamese food is also a big attraction for tourism, as well.
The only thing that irritated me on the first day were lots of motorbikes. However, later, riding motorcycles can turn to fun.
Taxis are good too. I didn’t face any cheating taxi drivers during my six days there.
They are good for foreigners, especially at night too. I think the capital city is safer than our city and some other cities around the world.
Your stable political situation also helps attrracts tourism.
About the hotel I stayed in Viet Nam, the staff were friendly and helpful. The rooms and the services were worth the price. —
Source: vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn
