The Asian Development Bank will provide Vietnam with a loan of US $ 10 million to carry out a tourism development project. The project will benefit five provinces in Vietnam, including Bac Kan, Cao Bang, Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua Thien Hue which are seen as having high tourism potential.

This is part of a project to develop the tourism sector in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). Besides Vietnam, ADB will also provide another US $ 10 million in grant to help nine provinces in Laos which are selected for high tourism potential and poverty rate.

The project will support the construction of handicraft markets, viewing points, small access roads, walking trails, tourism signages, information and visitation centres, parking areas, small river piers, community lodges, and sanitary facilities.

It will also support preparation of plans for tourism site development and management, training for local communities and private tourism operators, development of marketing strategies and products, and production of tourism manuals.

The project will promote strong and fair partnerships among local governments and communities and the private sector in developing, operating, and maintaining community tourism facilities.

In 2007, the GMS received 25.6 million international tourists, generating US $18.85 billion in earnings and providing employment to 3.74 million people. From 1995 to 2007, international tourist arrivals to the GMS rose at a yearly average rate of 8.12%, more than twice the world average.

The project will contribute to heritage conservation through the development of sustainable tourism that will benefit the poor.

(Source: Nhan Dan Online)