As Thailand closes, Vietnam opens.

[buksida]

With all the recent clampdowns on foreigners in Thailand it has got to be a good thing for neighbouring countries to promote their own tourism industry:

Vietnam opens wide to tourism
HANOI - Vietnam's economic boom is filtering down to its highly underdeveloped tourism and travel industry, making it the latest local sector to undergo a full-blown capitalist transformation.

Tourist arrivals have grown on average 20% per year over the past 15 years, shooting up from 250,000 in 1990 to 3.5 million last year. The first quarter of 2006 saw more than a million tourists land in Vietnam, on pace to hit the government's target of luring 4 million tourists this year. Some industry analysts optimistically estimate tourist arrivals will double to 8 million by 2010.

Although long popular on the backpacker trail, Vietnam is bidding to drive its tourism industry quickly up the value-added ladder, catering for higher-spending travelers. Compared with regional neighbors such as Thailand, Vietnam's tourism infrastructure is still antiquated. At the same time, many travelers prefer Vietnam's less commercialized, mass-market experience. The challenge, industry analysts say, will be striking the balance between preserving the country's many old-world charms while introducing more modern creature comforts.

Full story: Asia Times Online

[lomuamart]

I'll have to take a look some time. Never been there.
I wonder what the visa regulations are for both westerners and Thais.

[PJG]

Anybody got any info on Golf in Vietnam.

[Winkie]

I've not been to Hanoi, but I've visted HCM a few times. Its a nice place, despite the Communist Govt. Pretty, clean, architecturally interesting. People friendly and speak English well.

Certainly I'd consider living there, of course many other conditions would have to be correct also.

There's an English Guy in HCM running Saigon Scooter Centre, and he is restoring Lambrettas (of whihc many are in Vietnam) and exporting them around the world for very good profit.

Anyway, for now home is Thailand!

Winkie

[Hublet]

Hi there all,
I did a trip from the Cambodian border to Saigon (Hoh Chi Ming City) and then all the way up to Hanoi and Ha Long Bay. Fantastic. Amazing, cheap and a good time had by all. The difference between north and south are like chalk and cheese but worth seeing. If you are thinking of going to the North do it quickly as the place is being overrun by resorts and tourism. Its starting to look like the Gold Coast in Australia.

Cheers

[troopie]

Not long ago, I read that the Vietnam government was trying to encourage western retirees to consider settling there. However, there are some drawbacks. It is (officially) a communist state so there is no way a foreigner can own property (sound familiar?) but long-term leases are legal & easy to get. I heard of some Australians retiring there, mostly to the coastal resorts, & they seemed happy enough.
If Vietnam & other neighbouring countries do not make the most of Thaikland's continuing efforts to scare foreign money away, they are really dumb -- so it can't be long before they start tempting us away from the 'Land of Snarls'!

[kiwi P]

Just had friends return from Nam,,Yes many expats are on the leased owned ,,,housing,is increasing very rapidly,and apparently is ways round to buy free-hold,,Maybe is same same law as Thailand,Am going to do a search on this subject...Quote from there mouth's,,,Nam is what Thailand was some 20year ago...So the future looks bright for now.....