Vietnam signals intention to continue with Spratly tours

Tourism authorities in Vietnam say the first tour to the disputed Spratly Islands passed off safely and will now become a regular event.

The potentially resource-rich islands in the South China Sea are claimed in whole or part by several Asian countries.

Rival claimants China, Taiwan and the Philippines have all questioned Hanoi's decision to let local tourists visit the islands.

But a senior Vietnamese tourism official who took part in the tour, Duong Xuan Hoi, says the Spratlys have a great deal of tourism potential, and the tour would be repeated, although no date has been set.

28/04/2004 13:11:04 | ABC Radio Australia News

Source:http://www.abc.net.au/ra/newstories/RANewsStories_1096182.htm