Vietnam central provinces to go down ‘Indochina’s heritage road’

Vietnam central provinces, Quang Nam, Thua Thien-Hue and Da Nang city in the central region have decided to join forces to create ‘Indochina’s heritage road’, a new tourism product to be launched in June.

Dinh Hai, Director of the Quang Nam Tourism Department, who created the tour, said:

After the East-West Economic Corridor was put into operation, caravan tourists from Thailand have been flocking into the central region. Moreover, the number of tourists from Europe and America who go to Thailand and then to the central region of Vietnam from Thailand is also on the rise.

I attach much importance to Thailand’s market. I believe that the door to Thailand’s market must be opened, through which tourists will come to the central region. Recent surveys all show that most of the tourists who come to ASEAN nations, and especially Indochina, all want to visit the world’s cultural heritages, like Angkor Wat (Cambodia), Watphu (Laos), the ancient capital of Hue, Hoi An ancient town, and My Son. Therefore, the setting up of the tour ‘Indochina’s heritage road’ has been considered one of the top priorities for Quang Nam, Thua Thien-Hue and Da Nang authorities.

The three provinces have agreed to join forces to launch ‘Indochina’s heritage road’ in cooperation with Laos, Thailand and Cambodia. In June, the tour with the slogan “Three countries, one destination” will be inaugurated.

What will the itinerary of ‘Indochina’s heritage road’ be like?

In the immediate time, we will cooperate with Thai, Lao and Cambodian tourist departments and travel firms to serve the tourists who want to visit the world’s cultural heritages on Indochina’s heritage road. Travel in Vietnam, the itinerary will start in Hue or Quang Nam, go through the Bo Y border gate (Kontum province) to Champasak (Laos), then to the world’s cultural heritage Watphu, and to Bangkok, where tourists can visit the Temple of the Golden Buddha, and Royal Palace. After that, tourists will travel by land to Siem Reap (Cambodia), where they visit Angkor Wat, then travel to Phnom Penh and then Ho Chi Minh City through the Moc Bai border gate in Tay Ninh province.

Are there any other itineraries which allow tourists to visit more landscapes?

In the immediate time, as the border gates Dak Ok (Quang Nam) and Dak Chung (Sekong-Laos) are still under construction and will only be put into operation by the end of 2008, the best solution for now is to bring tourists to Laos through the Bo y border gate (Kon Tum province). Once the two above said border gates become operational, the itinerary will be shortened, while tourists will have the chance to visit more landscapes on the west of Truong Son Mountain and areas of central and lower regions of Laos.

The third Quang Nam - Heritage Itinerary 2007 festival with the theme “Quang Nam - Indochina Cultural Heritage Meeting” will take place from June 26-30, 2007. The event is an opportunity for cultural and tourism exchange, aiming to promote inter-regional tourism among three Indochina’s countries. The festival will see the participation of many art troupes from Cambodia’s Angkor, Seam Reap, Laos’ Wat Phou, Champasak, Luangphrabang, and many troupes from Vietnam’s Hanoi, the northwestern region, the northeastern region, the coastal central region, the Central Highlands, the southeastern region, the southwestern region, and provinces and cities that host world cultural heritages in Vietnam.

(Source: Tuoi tre)