Trà Sư cajuput forest in An Giang Province is the most popular attraction in the Mekong Delta Region. Photo baotintuc.vn

MEKONG DELTA  The Mekong Delta Tourism Association has launched a tourism promotion plan to attract more visitors by December.

Trần Hữu Hiệp, the association’s chairman, said: “The plan aims to attract more local visitors and welcome international tourists, especially those from Southeast Asia.”

The plan has the participation of 57 serviced accommodation businesses, 36 food and beverage service businesses, 25 tourism areas, and 22 tourism agencies in the region.

All of them have committed to offer 10-50 per cent discounts on service prices.

Trịnh Công Vinh, chairman of the Bạc Liêu Tourism Association, said the province would reduce entrance fees by 10-20 per cent for its 12 tourism areas. The province is also working on development of agricultural tourism in Phước Long and Hồng Dân districts.

An Giang Province has completed the upgrade of landscape and facilities for the Trà Sư cajuput forest, which is expected to help attract more cranes and other birds, and raise visitors' interest in the site.

Earlier this year, Trà Sư was recognised as the most beautiful forest in Việt Nam by the Việt Nam Records Organisation. It has the longest bamboo bridge in the country.

Meanwhile, Vietravel, one of the country’s leading tourism agencies, is creating a new tour linking provinces and cities in the region, including Cần Thơ, Sóc Trăng, Bạc Liêu and Cà Mau.

Lê Đình Minh Thy, director of Vietravel's Cần Thơ and Southwest region, said: “The new tour has been welcomed by our customers, who love day-long tours to discover the Mekong region.”

Hiệp, chairman of the Mekong Tourism Association, has encouraged tourism businesses and organisations in the region to enhance cooperation with HCM City to develop the tourism plan.

According to provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta, the number of arrivals in the region in the first four months of the year fell by 41.6 per cent compared to the same period last year, while revenue fell 42 per cent.  VNS