tough time in Vietnam
Replies: 70 - Last Post: Feb 28, 2012 4:58 AM Last Post By: Junglebeach
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30
That was a damn interesting article Bamboo boy,, many good points raised in it. I am looking at my trip in April as a learning curve before my next longer visit, if i pay a bit more for things so be it, its still a lot cheaper than staying home in Australia. 3 nights in a nice hotel in Sapa with breakfast etc, for same price i am paying for 1 night in a basic motel when i return to Darwin . Hopefully i will be as laid back about the "scams" when i return.31
HW there was an article here in the local papers actually referring to the point of return visitors. It acknowledge that there is difference in the actual numbers of people coming to Vietnam and what the government is spruiking. Some people from the government have also said there are major issues with its tourism developments, but change is difficult. I spent a weekend in Long Hai with a group of VN people and one guy worked for the largest travel company here, he said and I quote "the people who are running the tourism sector in VN are a absolute joke, the problem being is that the government is not open to taking on new ideas and changing their structure. He told me he was leaving the industry as it was too controlled by old men and women in Hanoi who cant see too far down the track.Vietnam could have a great industry but I and many others find there are just too many scammers and illegal operators ripping off tourists. Just have a look at Sinh Cafe, how many of these exists using the same name and logo and yet the government does nothing to quell this.
32
What is the percentage of people who never return to the US?What is the percentage of people who never return to Poland?
What is the percentage of people who never return to Russia?
What is the percentage of people who never return to Afghanistan?
Anyone know?
34
Well the government acknowledge that its only a 5% return rate and there are many articles on the net about just that. Do a search HW and you shall see what the figures are.http://www.economist.com/blogs/asiaview/2010/10/vietnams_tourism_promotion
38
Well I have read atricles interviewing directors of Vietnamese travel companies about this same thing, so maybe everyone is being tricked into thinking its just a story.Even government officals have been asked about this, so there must be some truth to it.http://quangninhtrade.gov.vn/detailnews.asp?LangId=2&id=1501&menuid=1&curentmenuid=1
http://www.vietnamtravelarticle.com/articles/vietnam-travelcheap-rate-attract-travelersct-travelers/
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I doubt the Huffington Post even looked at it but you're right - it's a ridiculous piece of lazy pseudo-journalism.There's no doubt that scams exist in Vietnam and that some people have a bad time because of them. However, for someone with Matt's stature & reputation as a travel writer to come along and tell everyone that not even he can travel successfully there is essentially saying that no one can.
His disclaimer at the end is a meaningless attempt to sound less like an ass.
In the end, he's profiting from his own foolish misconceptions while simultaneously harming Vietnamese tourism. Why would he be so proud of this post as to resurrect it years later for HuffPo? What a way to make a living.
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I new I'd seen it somewhere in a responsible journal:http://www.economist.com/blogs/asiaview/2010/10/vietnams_tourism_promotion
43
A lot of truths in this one also:http://www.tuoitrenews.vn/cmlink/tuoitrenews/city-diary/what-s-wrong-with-tourism-in-vietnam-1.26490
