Hue city authorities have promised create more favourable conditions in order to attract investment to boost the city's tourism development at the investment promotion conference.
Investment promotion conference about Hue tourism
In the first six months, Hue welcomed 1.7 million visitors. Despite being home to a huge variety of well-known heritage sites, the city has struggled to boost tourism.
"The entertainment and accommodation services in Hue are more limited and less attractive than in Danang. That's why many people go to Hue to visit its beauty spots but stay the night in Danang," said Nguyen Van Tuan, head of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism.
Tran Bac Ha, chairman of BIDV Bank said in the tourism competition, Hue was obviously weaker than Danang or Nha Trang.
He said, "Hue is lacking big projects and investors to guide the market. After visiting historical sites, enjoying folk singing and the food, visitors don't know where to go shopping or any other entertainment. Hue also has fewer five-star hotels than Danang."
Nguyen Van Cao, vice chairman of Hue City said the city had developed slowly in past years and was looking for a breakthrough. They plan to create favourable conditions in economic and administrative procedures to attract investors. Cao said he didn't wanted Hue to remain as a city with slow-moving charm, it had to be able to compete with the fast development of Danang City and Binh Dinh Province.
The authorities will build more tourism products, services and plans to attract investors to real estate projects. Many investors include Sungroup and Bitexco Group said they were considering the idea. Vingroup, one of Vietnam's largest conglomerates, is entertaining the ideas to build a 38-storey shopping centre and a series of supermarkets in the city. Bitexco has slated eight projects and is negotiating to buy some old hotels.
In the next five years, BIDV promised to spend USD545.5m to USD681.8m to support development projects.
An investment promotion conference will be held from August 7 to 8 with firms from Japan and South Korea as well as major local firms. This is a chance for Hue to introduce its strengths and investment policies.
