Great opportunity for Hanoi Tourism grows up

The National Tourism Year 2010, the 1000th anniversary of Thang Long – Hanoi together with other socio – economic development programmes of the capital city will create a great opportunity for Hanoi Tourism to grow.
Interviewed by the Government web portal’s reporter, Deputy Director of Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Truong Minh Tien said there are good reasons for Hanoi Tourism to have high hopes for prosperous perspectives. After the Government had given green-light to celebrate the National Tourism Year 2010 in combination with the 1000th anniversary of Thang Long – Hanoi, the municipal tourism authority contributed advisory ideas for leaders of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Hanoi City to map out some development orientations for the tourism industry as improving tourist products of strong advantages, pushing efforts for Hanoi’s image popularisation…
Advantages to develop Hanoi Tourism
The capital city of Hanoi boasts many precious cultural heritages. According to Tien, there are over 3,000 historic cultural relics, 1,300 craft villages, especially the famous ones in the old quarter of Hanoi.
By successfully hosting the 14th Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit (APEC 14), the 5th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM 5)… Hanoi has been famed for MICE tourism (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions).
In addition, such tourism forms being developed outskirts of inner Hanoi as ecotourism, entertainments and leisures, holidays… also contribute to the diversity of tourist products.
Chance to improve tourism infrastructure and environment
A system of 9 five-star, 9 four-star, 23 three-star, many two-star hotels and standard-level accommodations in the area are expected to inadequately satisfy blooming tourist demand in 2010 – the year of the 1000th anniversary of Thang Long – Hanoi and the National Tourism Year. Hence, that city’s important projects including high-class hotels are being promptly constructed and scheduled to be in operation in 2010 brings hope to fill the gap.
The city tourism authority is also conducting a homestay pilot programme in ancient village of Duong Lam (Son Tay Town). The programme is going to be launched in the old quarter in the coming time.
To ease the pressure of inner city’s traffic, futher efforts are needed to open new walking streets, to pilot electronic cars… thus improving tourism environment, creating a more attractive image of Hanoi to visitors, Tien said
Popularising Hanoi’s image
The municipal tourism industry is developing specific promotional campaigns towards domestic and international tourists, trying to maintain main source markets including China, Japan, South Korea, USA, ASEAN, Europe… promoting city’s image to international friends.
There should be preferential mechanism on investment, human resources training, tourism development… to facilitate tourism businesses, tour operators, which would help the city take full advantage to boost the tourism in 2010, Tien also added.