HOI AN, Vietnam: The old town of Hoi An in central Vietnam is today one of the country's most well-known tourist sites – a sharp contrast from just twenty years ago.

Vietnamese government officials hope its success can be replicated in other parts of the country.

During Singapore President S R Nathan's state visit to Vietnam in February, tourism was cited as an area of further bilateral cooperation.

Twenty years ago, when Hoi An's economy was still reeling from the effects of the Vietnam War, the town's young people left for the cities in droves.

But the town has seen a revival of its fortunes since it was declared a National Heritage Site in 1985 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.

Foreigners now flock here to seek out Hoi An's old-world charm and famed silkwares, and its youths are more confident they have a future here.

Le Thi Ha, a shop assistant, said: "When the customers come in here, they need Vietnamese to speak English. The old people can't speak English, only the young can. They can learn English better than the old people."

"Maybe in the future I'll know more English, French, Korean and another language, then I can work in a hotel," Le Thi Kim Tien, another shop assistant, said.

Thanks to tourism, average incomes have increased. According to a report by the People's Committee of Hoi An, the average take-home salary was nearly US$920 in 2007 – an increase of 11 percent from the year before.

Traditional arts and music have also been preserved with the help of the tourist dollar and a bit of luck.

Le Thi Xuan Hoa, a 6th generation caretaker of Tan Ky House, said: "This 200-year-old house still remains nearly intact. During the war, the bomb wasn't dropped here, it's very lucky. The bomb dropped nearby, but not here."

Hoi An was a prosperous trading port in the 17th century and many who got rich through the sea trade built mansions to show off their wealth.

Much of the town's importance has since waned with the stilting of the river, which has also created other problems – the area is now prone to heavy flooding every year and water levels reach as high as 2 metres.

As Hoi An gains new prominence among holiday-makers, local officials said proper planning is what is needed to steward its growth. In January 2007, new laws were passed to regulate businesses and prevent over-crowding in the old quarter.


- CNA/so