In 2008, Dalat City still maintains a growth rate of 17 percent, average income per capita, VND14 million per annum (VND2.2 million higher than that of 2007); total social investment capital, VND1,800 billion, and tourist service makes up 73 percent of the economic structure, etc.
The policy to develop high quality tourism has been the impetus to make changes to investments in upgrading and expanding infrastructure system, improving the quality of tourist service, and attracting tourists, especially attracting investments for construction and improvement of high quality hotels. Up to now, Dalat is home to hundreds of hotels and houses for tourists, among which there are some eighty hotels of one to five stars. At the end of 2007 and during 2008, some projects came into service, catering for high quality tourism. Some hotels regularly organize conferences and seminars, including: Samy hotel, Saigon – Dalat hotel, Ngoc Lan hotel, and Trade Union hotel, etc. Lots of ecotourism spots also join to provide service to high quality tourism. Hoan My Da Lat hospital recently opened, catering the healthcare demand of local people as well as opening a new tourist model – healthcare and relaxation tourism.
Besides, the hi-technology agricultural production programme is accelerated. This programme is warmly welcomed by Dalat farmers thanks to its economic efficiency. Farmers in Dalat are aware that application of hi-technology into agricultural production means the same with output of clean products. Safe and clean flowers and vegetables have created a brand name for Dalat. Thanks to application of high technology into farming production, the cultivated area for flowers and vegetables in Dalat has gone down during the past few years while the output has been on an increase and the quality has been good, which helps farming products of Dalat meet domestic and overseas demand. Dalat is currently home to approximately 1,000 hectares of greenhouse for flower growing which uses new varieties. There are flower and vegetable gardens which can make hundreds of millions dong per hectare per annum. In addition to the value of high quality farming products, investments made in high technology for farming production is also a new direction for tourism. Flower and vegetable farms have become ecotourism destinations for heaps of tourists, which shows that Dalat’s strength is being exploited and promoted in an active way.
According to the People’s Committee of Dalat City, there remain lots to be done besides achieved results. Dalat is becoming more developed. During the past years, Dalat has focused on making changes to the city. This is a large task. To get it done, not only capital is needed but also changes in the mindset and support of local people are necessary. To implement construction projects of square, parks, and supermarkets, etc. it is pivotal that Dalat move thousands of households and conduct compensation for them. This is related to the funds of land and houses for resettlement. Each project involves hundreds of households. Many projects will bring the figure to thousands of households. Moving thousands of households also means that thousands of houses and hundreds of thousands of metres of land are needed. However, this is a compulsory task since it is a prerequisite for Dalat to become a civilized and modern urban town. In the time to come, Dalat will be recognized as a grade 'I' city. Being “upgraded” to grade 'I' city, Dalat has more favourable conditions for its development. However, right now, Dalat needs to equip itself with a real face of grade 'I' city, in terms of infrastructure, economy, culture, and public works, etc.
It is estimated that 2009 will be a difficult year for global and domestic economies. Dalat will also be in the same situation. The city’s goal is to maintain its economic growth rate, attach economic growth target with social welfare and environmental protection target, and basically achieve socio-economic targets set for 2006 – 2010 period.
According to the People’s Committee, to achieve mentioned above goals, it is necessary that local works and programmes be socialized. The recent cultural week to welcome Dalat’s 115 years of formation and development was successful. The programme is enthusiastically responded by local people since everyone sees themselves in it. The image of a green, clean and beautiful city of architecture, flowers and vegetables with no rubbish is the orientation of local authority and also Dalat people’s aspirations and pride.
Minh Diep
Vietnamese
