The Imperial Palace in Hue City is where Vietnamese emperors once used to receive foreign dignitaries. Last night, it was where Ho Xian Man, Party Secretary of Hue, met with Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong for some serious talks before dinner.

The question raised was how Hue can attract Singapore and other foreign investors who have their eyes only on Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Mr Goh’s suggestion: position Hue as an international convention centre, according to his spokesman Ho Tong Yen.

Just as Bali in Indonesia and Siem Reap in Cambodia can serve as alternative sites for international meetings for their respective capitals and main cities, Mr Goh said Hue can do likewise for Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

If this takes off, investors will flock to Hue to build hotels and pour money into other tourism projects.

Party Secretary Man highlighted Hue’s touristic attractions - it is the site of the tombs of the last dynasty, it is strategically located between two airports, and it is a Unesco heritage site.

Mr Goh, who is visiting central Vietnam for the first time and heard of its ‘ancient beauty’, suggested that the authority here push for tourism.

Source: Business Times