Dong Thap is famous for its lotus fields. According to the Institute for Tourism Development Research under the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), the Mekong Delta has a special and diversified ecosystem featuring different habitat types of the sea, islands, river gates, mangrove forest, islets, biosphere reserves, national parks, nature reserves, typical diversified natural resource, unique culture and history creating oriental multiple cultural identities of the region. Globalization and international integration have created a driving force for tourism development, a connection between the Mekong Delta region and HCMC along with areas across the country and nations. The tourism growth of the Mekong Delta and HCMC will affect the socioeconomic development of localities in the region. Moreover, tourism also provides chances to introduce cultural values, landscapes and Vietnamese people to international friends and offers cooperation opportunities among provinces … [Read more...] about HCMC, Southern provinces boost linkage for tourism development