Vietnam News, 11-27-2006
Vice Chairman of the Viet Nam Administration of Tourism, Pham Tu, talked with Thoi bao Kinh te Viet Nam (Vietnam Economic Times) about the role of handicraft villages in tourism development.
What are the prospects for developing tourism in handicraft villages as Viet Nam has become an official member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO)? Handicraft village tourism is a highly unique form of cultural tourism which needs to be implemented thoroughly with a detailed development plan. To maximise development of villages will require co-ordination among industry, agriculture, trade, environment, investment, culture and tourism. To adhere to key criteria on sustainable development and community the infrastructure and material systems must leave the lowest environmental footprint possible. Waste treatment and anti-pollution systems are also compulsory requirements. Another thing we need to do is organise showrooms, at least one for each type of product. Each craft should have a viewable system where consumers can experience the products before purchasing them. As there is cultural value in each product, handicraft village tourism needs to have competent guides who understand the historical and cultural aspects of the pieces, guides also need to be good at foreign languages.
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