PM Okays Tourism Development Plan for Ban Gioc Borderline

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has approved a master plan for developing the Ban Gioc Waterfall Tourist Area near the borderline with China into an attractive tourist area by 2015.

 

Under the plan, Ban Gioc Waterfall will be able to host 350,000 visitors by 2015 from around 50,000-60,000 now, and to one million by 2020.

 

The first three years between now and 2010 should see the development of basic infrastructure and certain essential tourism facilities, while full development will be phased in two five-year periods from 2011 to 2015, and 2016 to 2020.

 

The master plan being approved is warmly applauded by investors, as many have been waiting in the wings to prepare their projects in the area, said director of the provincial department of trade - tourism Ha Viet Ai.

 

The approval was later than expected. Until now, only one company named Cao Bang Tourist Company has been developing a tourism project in Nguon Ngao Cavern in the area, while others must wait until the master plan is available, Ai admitted. However, investors will be quick to set foot there, he said.

 

“We believe that all projects would be developed quickly upon the availability of the master plan,” he affirmed, adding the province would need huge investment to realize the tourism development target.

 

From now to 2015 period, Ban Gioc needs VND1 trillion (US$62.5 million) for developing basic infrastructure and auxiliary facilities such as roads, electricity and water systems, an administration center, hotels, guests houses, and others.

 

“We expect to have 800 hotel rooms of one- to three-star ratings there in 2015, and the number will double in 2020,” he said.

 

For the 2015-2020 period, the province needs an additional VND 900 billion (US$56.25 million) for developing the Ban Gioc Waterfall Tourist Area.

 

“We will make a list of projects in the area that need investment to call for local and foreign investors,” he said, revealing that the provincial government would organize an investment promotion conference in HCM City late next month to woo more investors into the province.

 

The Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism will be in charge of coordinating with the provincial People’s Committee and relevant sectors to carry out the project according to the plan, the PM decision stated.