The area was their only escape from the social prejudice inflicted on them in the cities and towns of the country.

That was then, and this is now. And now dictates that the thatched huts will likely be torn down to make way for luxury hotels and the whirr of the roulette table.

Central Vietnam is emerging as an attractive investment destination with a series of million-USD projects currently underway or slated for construction. Construction of an ecological resort worth 1 billion USD will begin on April 30 at the Chan May-Lang Co Economic Zone (IZ) in Thua Thien-Hue province.

The detailed tourism plans for Phu Quoc Island off southern Kien Giang Province will be ready in October, which will then facilitate the development of tourism projects there, a provincial official said.