Domestic and international visitors know a Hoi An of rich and characteristic ancient culture - a world heritage. In the past years, Hoi An continues growing and obtaining admirable achievements. In 2005, the GDP of the town verged on VND773 billion (US$48.3 million), a 13.12 per cent on year increase. The per capita GDP was VND11.221 million (US$700).
The service, tourism and trading sectors had high growth rates. These sectors contributed 61 per cent, or VND471 billion (US$29.44 million), to the GDP of the town. These sectors are hoped to present more percentages in the GDP in the future. The number of visitors to Hoi An rose 13.46 per cent and in particular the number of tourists rose 25.83 per cent. Several tourism products and services generated good results such as diving, traditional craft village tour and fishing village tours.
The high-growing industrial and handicraft sectors generate VND158 billion (US$10 million) value. The sectoral production structure is being developed on the right track. The state-run economic sector together with outsourcing garment industry and handicraft production is growing very fast with more diverse products. Career training, especially for traditional industries, is being paid great attention.
To date, competent authorities have approved the amended overall Hoi An planning until 2020. The overall socioeconomic development plan, Hoi An tourism development plan and other detailed development plans are being completed.
From its achievements, Hoi An continues introducing development targets for the year 2006 with great attention to increasing the growth rate of services, tourism, trading, industry and handicrafts.
The town targets at a 13.5-14.5 per cent GDP growth. The service, tourism and trade sectors will produce VND551 billion (US$34.44 million), up 16.82 per cent on year, and contribute at least 62.81 per cent to the GDP of the town. The per capita GDP will reach VND12.8 million (US$800) a year. The total number of tourist arrivals will be 882,306, an increase of nearly 31 per cent, including 425,000 staying tourists, up 25 per cent. The GDP of the industrial and construction sectors will be VND180 billion (US$11.25 million), up 13.32 per cent, or 20.52 per cent of the GDP of the town.
Hoi An Town comprehensively focuses on economic development and grasps all opportunities to increase growth rate of service, tourism, trading, industry and handicraft sectors to boost up agriculture and rural areas. In 2006, the town will improve the quality of tourism services in Hoi An; hence, it is necessary to better quality and reputation of tourism, service and commercial products as well as the quality of managerial staff and tourism workers. It will make careful preparations in infrastructure systems and contents to successfully organise activities of the Quang Nam National Tourism Year 2006 in Hoi An and the APEC Ministers Meeting scheduled to open in October 2006. It will orient, outline and call investment into focal service development areas, new tours and night tours. Hoi An Town will seek suitable solutions to develop Cu Lao Cham (Cham Island) tourism.
Hoi An is on the right development track with the preservation of ancient traditional cultural value and the selective acceptance of new values. Hoi An will remain an ideal destination for domestic and international visitors and investors.
Minh Tan
Vietnamese
