Vietnam beefs up security

Vietnam’s Prime Minister, Nguyen Tan Dung, has ordered the Ministry of Public Security to set up police patrols in urban centres and tourism destinations around the country to improve security during  the peak season.

According to local media reports, police officers on special patrols need to know foreign languages and act in a friendly manner to visitors.

The targets are petty thieves, mainly bag snatchers and vendors who cheat visitors

“At each tourist destination that attracts more than 1 million visitors a year, an assistance centre should be opened with a hotline for tourists to contact if they have a problem,” he said.

He also ordered the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to increase fines on those found littering at tourist spots, or hassling tourists.

Vietnam Administration of Tourism reported there is strong evidence that international tourists are put off by beggars, hawkers, and petty thieves who zero in on popular tourism destinations, especially in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Sam Son Beach in central Thanh Hoa province, Halong Bay, Vung Tau, and Nha Trang.

For January to August this year, international tourist arrivals reached 4,875,447 visits growing 7.9% over the same period last year.

Sourced: ttrweekly