“In a way, Vietnam is trying to reinvent itself. The world has only known it for its war. Is it possible to reinvent the country as a tourist destination known for its beaches and natural beauty? I don’t think it’s possible. I think we can move forward and rejoin the world, but I think we have to acknowledge the past. I thought the tourist marketing campaign in 2000 that used the line “Vietnam: Destination for the New Millennium” was problematic. On one hand, it promoted our beautiful beaches, but on the other it ignored other tourist sites such as the DMZ and the Cu Chi tunnels. It is a conflict of messages, but this is where Vietnam is: we are grappling with the old and the new Vietnam.”

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