Halong Bay, Vietnam - Photo by An Bui

Halong Bay, Vietnam - Photo by An Bui

Halong Bay, Vietnam - Photo by An Bui

Halong Bay, Vietnam - Photo by An Bui

Halong Bay, Vietnam - Photo by An Bui

Halong Bay, Vietnam - Photo by An Bui

Halong Bay, Vietnam - Photo by An Bui

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Vendors – problem or beauty of Vietnam’s tourism?

Peddled wares can be seen in every country in the world, including developed economies. The thing that Vietnam needs to do is turn peddled ware shoulder poles (carrying poles) into the special characteristic to attract tourists, instead of the “threat to the tourism” that state management agencies need to eliminate.

 While a lot of foreigners and Vietnamese people have voiced their complaints that Vietnamese vendors try to invite travelers to buy goods with insistence, thus bothering travelers--especially foreigners, others believe that vending should be seen as an original characteristic of Vietnam instead of an “evil.” “Inviting insistently” better than “keeping indifferent” Entreating travelers to buy goods, forcing foreign travelers to buy souvenirs at exorbitant prices, cheating travelers with low quality goods all have been cited as the big problems of Vietnam’s tourism that cause a headache to the state management agencies.

 However, unlike many other foreign travelers, who complained that they are bothered by vendors, in Vietnam, Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization WTO Taleb Rifai believes that this might not be a “big problem.” Commenting about the vendors pursuing travelers and inviting them to buy souvenirs, thus causing inconvenience to travelers, or the spontaneous development of “pavement restaurants and shops”, he said this is really a serious problem that hinders the development of the tourism industry in many countries in the world.

However, he has not seen the problem in Vietnam. He went on to say that he can name 40 of 50 other countries which meet more troubles with their problems that Vietnam. When asked about the comments on social networks by some foreign travelers about the bad things of Vietnam’s tourism, he said that social networks are the forums, where everyone can share his thoughts, and that the stories with negative information about Vietnam should not be seen as a big problem. In Vietnam, foreign travelers can communicate easily with local residents, because a lot of people can speak English.

Meanwhile, in Europe, people meet big difficulties in communicating with the host residents, which is also can be seen a problem of tourism. “I have been to Vietnam three times and I can see new things in Vietnam every time I come. The achievements that Vietnam’s tourism has gained are very clear,” he said. Especially, Mr Rifai also said he does not agree with the viewpoint that in Vietnam, vendors force travelers to sell goods dear. “Expensive” is just a concept with relative meaning. Some countries, London, for example, even want to position themselves as expensive destinations, because this could be seen as a character that attracts travelers.

And once travelers accept to spend money to buy the goods they are offered, this does not mean a serious problem. Turning peddled wares into the special character to attract tourists There were 980 million tourists of the globe in 2011, and the figure is forecast to rise to 1 billion in 2012. This means that one of every seven people on the earth went traveling. Every country in the world and every tourism site all try to attract travelers with their special characteristics.

Vending is one of the indigenous cultural features that can help attract tourists. A research by Professor Annette Kim from MIT University showed that the peddle ware shoulder poles on the pavements of HCM City not only provide food, create jobs to 30 percent of the city’s residents, but also serves as the original characters to attract western travelers through “non-language images.” For example, when one sees a roll of paper pressed under a brick, he should understand that someone nearby has petrol to sell.

A man knocks a chopstick into a porcelain bowl when he wants to say that he sells noodles. Meanwhile, if one can see a tire, travelers can expect to see a shop when their tires can be patched.

By Quoc Dung
Source Vietnamnet

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Chua Xu Temple - Chau Doc - An Giang - Photo by An Bui

Chua Xu Temple - Chau Doc - An Giang - Photo by An Bui

Chua Xu Temple - Chau Doc - An Giang - Photo by An Bui

Chua Xu Temple - Chau Doc - An Giang - Photo by An Bui

Chua Xu Temple - Chau Doc - An Giang - Photo by An Bui

Chua Xu Temple - Chau Doc - An Giang - Photo by An Bui

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Vinh Trang Pagoda, My Tho - Tien Giang Province - Photo by An Bui

Vinh Trang Pagoda, My Tho - Tien Giang Province - Photo by An Bui

Vinh Trang Pagoda, My Tho - Tien Giang Province - Photo by An Bui

Vinh Trang Pagoda, My Tho - Tien Giang Province - Photo by An Bui

Vinh Trang Pagoda, My Tho - Tien Giang Province - Photo by An Bui

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Chau Doc - An Giang Province - Photo by An Bui

Chau Doc - An Giang Province - Photo by An Bui

Chau Doc - An Giang Province - Photo by An Bui

Chau Doc - An Giang Province - Photo by An Bui

Chau Doc - An Giang Province - Photo by An Bui

Chau Doc - An Giang Province - Photo by An Bui

Chau Doc - An Giang Province - Photo by An Bui

Chau Doc - An Giang Province - Photo by An Bui

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Tay An Temple - Chau Doc - An Giang - Photo by An Bui

Tay An Temple - Chau Doc - An Giang - Photo by An Bui

Tay An Temple - Chau Doc - An Giang - Photo by An Bui

Tay An Temple - Chau Doc - An Giang - Photo by An Bui

Tay An Temple - Chau Doc - An Giang - Photo by An Bui

Tay An Temple - Chau Doc - An Giang - Photo by An Bui

Tay An Temple - Chau Doc - An Giang - Photo by An Bui

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‘Carnival Ha Long 2012’ celebrates Ha Long Bay

‘Carnival Ha Long 2012’ kicked off on Tuesday night in Ha Long City in the northern province of Quang Ninh, to celebrate the recognition of Ha Long Bay as one of New7 Wonders of Nature in the world. This is the biggest carnival ever hosted by Ha Long City, with nearly 4,000 people participating including Vietnamese performers as well as international artists.

Of the several well-known singers taking part in the event were People’s Artist Quang Thọ and Ha Hoai Thu, Hoang Tung, Ngoc Anh and Tuan Anh. About 100 artists held performances atop vessels on Ha Long Bay, which attracted ten of thousands of viewers. Visitors had a chance to enjoy specialties, traditional dances and folk games of Quang Ninh Province, in splendid fun-filled atmosphere.

 The carnival was the final event of Ha Long-Quang Ninh Tourism Week 2012, which closed on the same night. The number of visitors to Ha Long Bay increased to a record 40,000 during Reunification Day (April 30) and May Day holidays.


By Ngoc Quy – Translated by Hai Mien
Source SGGP

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Foreigners to receive VAT refund from July

Foreigners will now receive a Value Added Tax (VAT) refund on commodities purchased while in Vietnam and which they carry back when leaving the country, at Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat International Airports from July this year until the end of June next year. This new pilot scheme for foreigners was announced on Thursday at a conference chaired by Do Hoang Anh Tuan, Deputy Minister of Finance in Ho Chi Minh City.

The conference was also attended by Nguyen Thi Hong, deputy chairwoman of the HCMC People’s Committee and over 200 businesses in the city. From July 1, all foreigners will receive VAT refund on purchased commodities they wish to carry back with them. The VAT refund policy will only be applicable on brand-new items, permissible to carry in the cabin, and are not listed as banned, restricted or illegal.

Those wanting a refund must present a bill and fill a tax refund form valid for 30 days before date of exit. Goods purchased must have a total value of at least VND2 million ($95) and purchased in the same shop on the same day. Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat International Airports will implement the scheme from July 1, 2012 to June 2013.


By Han Ni – Translated by Hai Mien
Source SGGP

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Vietnam wants to raise image for foreign travellers

Do Hoang Anh Tuan, deputy minister of Finance believes in raising Vietnam’s image by offering refund on Value Added Tax (VAT) on commodities purchased in Vietnam by foreign travellers at point of departure at Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat International Airports from July 2012 till June 2013.

The deputy minister mentioned this at a conference in Ho Chi Minh City recently to implement the new pilot scheme that will offer a VAT refund to foreigners leaving the country with purchases made during their stay. Tuan said the pilot scheme will help promote tourism and leave a good impression on foreign visitors, so officials at airports must provide and facilitate easy procedures for the same.

The pilot scheme will be improved gradually in accordance with international practices, but for now VAT refund formalities must be made simple, clear and transparent, Tuan said. Foreigners will now receive a Value Added Tax (VAT) refund on commodities purchased while in Vietnam and which they carry back when leaving the country. According to the General Department of Taxation, 154 enterprises in Hanoi and HCMC are eligible for participating in the new scheme.

Purchases made by foreign visitors during their stay in Vietnam, will receive VAT refund at point of departure, provided all criteria is met. These enterprises are eager to join the pilot scheme as this is an excellent opportunity for them to promote their products in other countries of the world. Relevant agencies such as tax and customs departments will release the addresses and names of participating enterprises on their websites.

They will also be allowed to advertise the scheme on billboards and posters on their shops, so as to inform foreign clientele. Tax and customs departments should also inform travel agents of the enterprises listed in the VAT refund scheme, so as to curb corruption. Enterprises also raised the idea that there should be one common logo for the VAT refund scheme for easy recognition by foreign tourists. This idea met with approval from the deputy minister. The General Department of Taxation has been asked to think of a common logo to be used by shops offering VAT refund in the country.

By Han Ni - Translated by Uyen Phuong
Source SGGP

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Luxury Resort to be built at Ban Gioc Falls

A luxury resort will be built at Ban Gioc Falls in Dam Thuy Commune of Trung Khanh District in the northern province of Cao Bang, according to Saigon Tourist Company, the main investor of the project. Cao Bang Province is home to eight minority groups such as Dao, Thai and has much tourism potential. The Pac Bo historical sites, and the beautiful landscapes of Thang Hen Lake, Pha Den Biodiversity site and Nguom Ngao cave already attract many visitors. Among them, the grandiose and beautiful Ban Gioc Falls is one of the many tourist destinations.

From the top of the limestone mountain range, Ban Gioc Falls drop deep into the blue river. So far there is no tourist accommodation at this wonderful natural landscape site and much needs to be developed here, including proper traffic, as the area offers great natural produce, fresh air and wonderful weather. The construction of a luxury resort will help the province to develop economically and keep borders safe.


Source: VNA – Translated by Kim Khanh

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