An Giang province was determined to become a major tourist destination of the Mekong Delta region, aiming at 1.6 trillion VND (100 million USD) in tourism revenue for 2008.

“An Giang has an advantages in tourism development over other provinces in the region, with a diversified terrain and 90 km border with Cambodia ,” said the provincial Tourism Department director Bui Thi Hong Ha.

The province welcomed 3.84 million tourists last year, including 40,000 foreigners mainly from the US, France, Australia, Japan, China and Cambodia. It generated 1.5 trillion VND (94 million USD) from tourism revenue, a modest increase of 7 percent.

The province hoped that future visitors would come to the province not just for pilgrimage trips but also to visit entertainment parks, adventure sport areas and tours linking to tourist attractions in border areas and abroad.

The province decided to set aside 1.93 trillion VND (121 million USD) for its hotels, restaurants and entertainment in the provincial tourist areas and around its five international and national border gates.

(Source: VNA)