GMS in the News

Tourism is growing rapidly in Viet Nam, but most growth and corresponding socioeconomic benefits are concentrated in a few gateway destinations, says ADB Project Administration Unit Head for Viet Nam Mr. Steven Schipani. Photo: ADB.

ADB Project to Help Boost Inclusive Tourism in Viet Nam’s Secondary Towns

HA NOI, VIET NAM (10 December 2018) — The Asian Development Bank has approved a $45 million loan to help Viet Nam transform secondary towns into more economically inclusive, competitive tourism destinations.

A startup from Luang Prabang that supplies reusable bamboo straws to the hospitality industry won the top prize in the 2018 Mekong Innovative Startups in Tourism (MIST) competition. Photo: MIST.

BambooLao Wins 2018 Mekong Travel Startup Challenge

A reusable bamboo straw producer from the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) beat 111 entrants from across Southeast Asia to take the top prize in the 2018 Mekong Innovative Startups in Tourism (MIST) challenge.

Nguyen Thi Huong Lien (fourth from left in photo) started women-led motorcycle tours in Hue City, Viet Nam in 2014. She has since expanded her business to four more cities and is eyeing other markets in the Greater Mekong Subregion. Photo: I Love Asia.

Promoting Responsible Tourism through Innovative Startups

A young businesswoman offering motorcycle tours led by women is one of the entrepreneurs supported by a tourism accelerator program in the Greater Mekong Subregion.

Photo: iStock.com

Mekong Tourism Forum 2018

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Thailand is hosting the Mekong Tourism Forum (MTF) 2018 in Nakhon Phanom province from 26 to 29 June in collaboration with the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office. This year's forum will focus on travel trends with the theme "Transforming Travel—Transforming Lives."

Prizes include Mekong country experiences inclusive of interregional flights and accommodations, and the Irrawaddy Dolphin Trophy.  Contest rules are available at https://www.mekongtourism.org/mekongminimovie/.

Mekong Tourism Office Launches Travel Video Contest

The inaugural Mekong Mini Movie Festival (Mekong Minis) is offering awards across several categories for the best submission that captures the essence of daily life and travel in the Greater Mekong Subregion.

view all content