Vietnam has great prospect to attract MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events) tourists when tourism infrastructure has been improved and Vietnam’s controlling ability to organise MICE has been acknowledged. Nhan Dan Online reporter had an interview with Pham Huu Minh, director of the Tourism Promotion Department, the National Administration of Tourism, about the MICE prospect of Vietnam.

Q: What is MICE trend in the world?

A: MICE are developing quickly in the world. Although Internet can give information to each individual, the need of meeting one another to exchange information is very high. More and more economic, cultural or educational activities, seminars and conferences are held. That is the common trend in the world.

Europe accounts for 60% of MICE market share of the world, Asia with 18% and Australia with 4%. MICE centres of Asia are Singapore, Japan, China and Hong Kong. Three cities that have attracted most MICE tourists of the world are Singapore, Hong Kong and Beijing.

Expenditure for a MICE tourist in 1993 was US $957 but in 2004, the amount increased to US $1,883 per MICE tourist. Time duration for MICE tourist to travel in 1993 was 4.8 days on average and 2004 with 4.2 days but expenditure was much higher. Therefore, MICE tourism shows high efficiency. That’s why Australia and Singapore have focused on making best use of MICE.

Q: Could you please talk about prospect of MICE development in Vietnam?

A: MICE prospect is very great in Vietnam. Vietnam has begun to be capable of organising MICE. Before, we could not do this but now Vietnam is an “emerging star” of the regional tourism and a new and attractive destination. Two many seminars and conferences have been held in Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia, so it has become boring. They have a trend to move to new destinations such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Moreover, we have infrastructure and ability of organising MICE events. We have organised successfully Francophone (French-speaking nations) Summit in 1997, ASEAN’s conferences, the 22nd Southeast Asian Games, ASEM, and now the APEC summit. These events require tight security, absolute safety and organising ability. The world has acknowledged Vietnam’s ability to organise big events.

MICE requires good infrastructure and, more importantly, organising ability and controlling capability. If infrastructure is good but organising ability is poor, it will be impossible to attract MICE tourists.

Q: What are advantages of Vietnam to organise MICE?

A: Vietnam has centres that can meet the needs of MICE tourists include the newly-built National Convention Centre, five-star hotels and resorts mainly located in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang and Quang Nam province; and some other event organising centres.

Vietnam has convenient systems of air routes, telecommunications, banking and customs. Travelling in the country is more favourable, for example we have provided APEC businessmen travelling cards, so businessmen in the APEC region can enter and exit Vietnam more easily. In addition, tourists to Vietnam can join MICE and combine with sightseeing and convalescence.

In the time to come, the Tourism Promotion Department will employ consultants and co-ordinate with travel companies to make a marketing strategy and the State will work out orientation to develop this kind of tourism.

(Source: Nhan Dan)