Vietnam taps natural resources to drive tourism Dotted by charming small towns from the mountains to the west and the ocean to the east, Vietnam is renewing efforts to tap its natural resources to help drive tourism in the central region.  While summer remains the peak for tourism, state and local officials are working to shoulder the busier months with increased tourism at other times of the year, especially fall, when leaves change from green to orange, yellow and red. The region is like Mother Nature at her best, said a representative from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the government agency responsible for marketing the state as a tourism destination. There's a little something for everybody who loves to really get outdoors in the fresh, crisp air, the representative added. And it's no surprise that tourism revenue in the region continued to rise to record highs last year. It is home to the beautiful beaches of Lang Co, Non Nuoc and Cua Dai, and the ever so popular caves in Quang Binh province. Then again there’s the old quarter in Hoi An, My Son Sanctuary and Hue imperial cityalong with thousands of square ha of lakes, rivers and bays that hold great potential at tourist destinations ripe for future tourism growth. Thua Thien-Hue province alone boasts a pristine coastline that stretches nearly 200 kilometres and a hospitality industry that meet with the highest of international standards. However the region’s small inns and lodges surrounded by natural assets are ‘icing on the cake’—in short the foliage in the region along with the flowers, the way the hills roll, the way the farms are manicured, it's just an incredibly, beautiful place. We get visitors from all over the world said Nguyen Ngoc Thien, secretary of the Thua Thien-Hue Provincial Party Committee, and those visitors come and travel through the countryside and say that the views are better and more beautiful than any place they have travelled to. Thien said the province has set in motion policies that will give priority to develop tourism in the region and has adopted a resolution to promote local tourism development through 2020.  But right now those plans exist only on paper, Thien said as he readily admits local authorities currently lack the know how to make the dream a reality and fully tap the regions tourisms potential. Ngo Quang Vinh, director of the Danang municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism in turn said the city has invested much in developing tourism industry in a methodical step by step manner and their efforts are beginning to bear fruit. The city’s reputation as a top travel spot has been gaining traction Vinh said, but localities in the region, particularly in Hue city, Danang city and Quang Nam, need to do a better job in coordinating festivals so they complement each other and provide a synergistic effect to tourism. In the past too many festivals have taken place simultaneously and in his opinion it may be better to stagger the festivals on dates that don’t conflict. Vinh cites as an example the Hue Traditional Craft Festival, which has conflicted with the Quang Nam Heritage Journey festival and Danang City’s Cultural Tourism Festival. As another example Vinh said in April of this year the Hue Traditional Craft Festival conflicts with the Danang International Fireworks Competition.  Bui Quang Vinh, Director of Viet Thang travel agency, shares Vinh’s concern and said localities should rectify the situation and better manage festivals and coordinate among themselves for the betterment of tourism. Dinh Hai Thua, director of Quang Nam’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism said the Thien-Hue city, Danang city and Quang Nam province have already signed an agreement addressing the issue. VOV