Figures released by the General Statistics Office (GSO) showed that among 1.85 million foreign tourists traveling to Vietnam in the first six months of 2006, as many as 278,000 visitors travelled in combination with attending seminars or conferences. That is an increase of 26,3 percent over the same period last year.

As MICE tourism booms, the Vietnam Meeting and Incentive Club (VMAIC), established in 2002 and includes airlines, travel agents and hotels throughout the country, is striving to create favourable conditions in a bid to attract more MICE tourists. Ben Thanh Tourist, a pioneer in the industry that set up the country`s first professional MICE centre in April 2004, has arranged many MICE tours in such fields as oil and gas, pharmacy and trade. With about 100-200 visitors in each tour, the travel agent said that the MICE tourism trend would continue to emerge rapidly, attracting more visitors from ASEAN countries.

Saigontourist, another travel agent operating in the industry, is focusing on the advantages of this tourism type, including longer stay time, a higher spending level and larger groups of visitors. The company in the first half of 2006 served 1,500 MICE tourists with the largest group containing 300 visitors. Saigontourist has so far established about 300 international partners throughout the world, particularly APEC members.

Vietnam Airlines, the national flag carrier, is strongly interested in the MICE market because of the opening of flight routes to 25 cities in Asia, Europe, Australia and the United States. it also raised its services to meet international standards. Most of its long-haul planes are now used to shuttle MICE tourism. Vietnam`s many advantages, such as beautiful beaches along its coast and many world-class cultural and natural heritages throughout the country, provide a lot of chances for expanding MICE tourism, especially at a time when the country is deeply integrating into the world`s economy.

The country`s tourism infrastructure, particularly the hotel and resort system, is developing at a rapid rate. As of May 2006, Vietnam has 175 state-of-the-art hotels raging from three to five star grades, and are able to meet customers` demands for both business and leisure. Vietnam has experienced in hosting international events. The first major event was the 1997 Francophone summit. Since then, it has hosted leaders from 50 countries and territories as well as the ASEAN and ASEM summits.

Soon the country will host the APEC Economic Leaders conference.As for the nation`s potential in the MICE industry, experts from the World Tourism Organisation said, during their recent visit to Vietnam, that its MICE tourism may become a fierce competitor against Singapore, which is regarded as the biggest MICE market in southeast Asia. The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) stated that, Vietnam is emerging as a safe destination in the world and an attractive place for foreign investors.