Vietnam has lush countrysides that contrast with its bustling cities. Tourists can spend all of their time in either setting and still come away with the impression that they have had a full experience. The countryside tends to be devoted to farming. It may seem to be a more laid back setting, however, people on the farms work quite diligently. Although, tourists spending their Vietnam holidays in a rural setting will be able to take advantage of the lovely surroundings and relative quiet of the area.

People who choose to spend their time in an urban setting will be rewarded with busy markets, shopping and good restaurants. Tourists who are spending their Vietnam holiday in a city should not be afraid to engage in good natured bargaining to get good prices for items. Many sellers are willing to lower their prices to close the deal. It all depends on whether the tourist can spot a bargain in the making. It may take some practice, but many tourists are more than willing to join in to become part of the scene.

To get the most of what Vietnam has available for tourists, visitors should try to travel to a rural and an urban town. Visiting these places will provide the best sense of what it means to live and work in Vietnam. Meeting people during a Vietnam holiday who have made different choices about whether to live in a big city or a small town will give tourists an idea of the challenges, sacrifices and rewards that many Vietnamese experience on a day to day basis.

Also, in 2006 the sector exported textiles and garments to the value of US$5.8 bn, making it Vietnam’s second largest export earner after crude oil. Buyers from a number of the world’s leading textile and apparel companies have sourced apparel from Vietnam including Express, Hucke, Itochu, JC Penney, Jupitar, Kmart, Kowa, Lee Cooper, Li & Fung, Mast Industries, Nichimen, Nissho Iwai, Otto, Sara Lee, Seidensticker, Sumitomo, Tomen, Tommy Hilfiger, Victoria’s Secret, and Wal-Mart.

Three major developments over the past 20 years have led to the industry’s present vibrancy. One was the introduction in 1986 of the so-called Doi Moi economic reforms which—notwithstanding the government’s communist leanings—gave encouragement to the private sector and allowed market forces to determine the allocation of resources. A second was the collapse of the Comecon (Council for Mutual Economic Cooperation) bloc in 1990-91 and that of the Soviet Union in 1991. These events caused initial hardship but prompted the country to forge links with the West and enter the international community. The third was the granting by the USA of normal trading relations (NTR) or most favoured nation (MFN) status in December 2001, which led to a dramatic reduction in import tariffs in the US market.

The future for the textile and garment industry in Vietnam looks promising. Vietnam joined the World Trade Organisation (WTO) at the beginning of 2007 and seems set to build upon its recent export success. Moreover, the Vietnamese government is highly supportive of the textile and garment sector, and there are strong incentives to attract foreign investment. The government has outlined ambitious plans for the industry’s development. If these plans are fulfilled, employment and exports in the sector will double by 2010.