HANOI (AP) - Vietnam plans to turn parts of a former U.S. military base at Cam Ranh Bay into high-end tourist resort areas.

Authorities in Khanh Hoa province have completed plans to develop more than 1,000 hectares of land - nearly half the base. The first 13 local investors are working on plans that include a golf course, hotels, resorts and recreation parks along the 15-kilometre beach, and construction could start as early as next year. Foreign investors are prohibited for security reasons.

In 1979, the former Soviet Union took control of the air and naval base, built by the United States during the Vietnam War, under a rent-free agreement that was to last until 2004.

However, after Vietnam indicated it wanted rent to be paid after that period, Russia's cash-strapped government returned the base to Hanoi, saying it could not afford maintenance costs.

Plans are also underway to turn the Cam Ranh airstrip into an airport which would serve both civilian and military use.