VIETNAM'S AWAKENING

Vietnam is one of Southeast Asia’s ‘tiger’ economies, a fast-paced hub with no shortage of entrepreneurial spirit.
Huge economic growth means Vietnam is now a place where high-end development is emerging and the conference and exhibition industries are beginning to make their mark.
Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital, is a city in transition. Home to more than four million people, the city retains a small-town feel and old-world charm. Hanoi’s Frenchcolonial heritage is evident in the number of elegant, colonial-era buildings that compete with modern developments including hotels, shopping centres and commercial developments.

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Ho Chi Minh City is the commercial heart and soul of Vietnam. It is an industrious and
dynamic centre, the largest city in the country, the economic capital and the trendsetter.
Vietnam has no shortage of options when it comes to incentives – cruises in Halong Bay, beaches in Nha Trang, a range of historical venues from Saigon’s Reunification Palace to Hanoi’s ancient Temple of Literature. But the destination’s conference and exhibition industries still have some way to go before they can begin competing with their regional neighbours.
The new US$268 million National Convention Centre in Hanoi has given the sector a much-needed boost. Unfortunately, since the APEC 2006 Summit, which attracted 10,000 delegates, the venue has hosted few international events. Ho Chi Minh City is still waiting patiently for the
construction of its convention centre.
Before Vietnam can welcome further international events, both Hanoi and Saigon are in desperate need of more luxury hotels and more rooms. InterContinental is developing properties in both north and south Vietnam, and Sheraton Saigon Hotel and Towers is adding to its rooms.
But despite these drawbacks, Vietnam has made some ground over the past few years to
host major conferences such as the ASEM5 Summit, the ICT Summit and ATF, as well
as holding corporate events for DHL, Motorola, VISA and Volvo.
Vietnam MICE Club, which has taken on the role of a traditional convention bureau, is also having a notable effect and the Vietnamese government is also beginning to recognise the importance of the conferences and incentive industry and has committed funding.