Two separate conferences in Singapore and Malaysia last week attracted hundreds of potential investors interested in Vietnam's burgeoning real estate and tourism markets.

The two events, organised by the local International Urban Investment and Development Joint-stock Company, called for investment in 30 different projects in Ho Chi Minh City, Ha Noi, Hai Phong, Da Nang and Nha Trang.

More than 428 investors, attended the conferences, including 30 from Vietnam, 109 from Singapore and 318 from Malaysia.

After attending the conference, Malaysia's leading property group, KLIA Property, plans to visit Vietnam this week to talk with local property developers.

Another 99 companies pledged to come to Vietnam from between now and October to meet developers and discuss plans for future projects.

The Vietnamese real estate industry co-sponsored the events in the hope of luring not only much-needed foreign capital for the country's property market, which has been stagnant since last year, but also technical expertise.

Speaking at the conferences, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Ngoc Phuc outlined the Government's investment promotion policies and the major points of the new Common Investment Law, which becomes effective in July.

Tran Duc Thanh, director of the International Urban Investment and Development, said funds were sought for projects in residential, office, hotel, tourism and industrial development.

In October, another big investment conference will be held in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, said Mr Thanh.

The Vietnam Investment Conference 2006 is expected to attract about 200 investors from the US, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore and Malaysia.

VOVNews/VNA.