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Vietnam's National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) has chosen the biggest city in the Mekong Delta, Can Tho, to host 'National Tourism Year 2008'.

One city or region hosts a 'national tourism year' every year, with the theme across province drawing on the city's particular specialities.

The 'theme' for 2008 will be 'Mekong River Countryside', modelled on Can Tho's remarkable floating markets.

The city hopes to reap $37.5m from up to 2m visitors, said director of the tourism department Dinh Viet Khanh.

Surrounding cities will host festivals while building projects for a major airport and bridge are now aiming for completion by 2008 to service the influx of tourist traffic.

The location chosen by VNAT to host 'national tourism year' 2006 is Quang Nam province, while next year the spotlight will fall on the northern province of Thai Nguyen, the 'capital of mountain winds'.

Tourists to Vietnam have risen by 20% yearly over the last 15 years, and the sector directly employs over 234,000 people.

Jonathan Pincus, senior country economist at the United Nations Development Programme in Hanoi, has described tourism as a 'great industry for Vietnam' and voiced hopes it will prove sustainable as visitors are exposed to new regions and sides to the country.


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