In recent years, Ninh Binh tourism has developed rapidly and become an important economic sector contributing to economic restructuring, job creation, improving people’s living conditions and upgrading Ninh Binh’s image among local and foreign visitors. Vietnam Business Forum interviews Mr Tran Huu Binh, Vice-Chairman of Ninh Binh People’s Committee, Ngo Khuyen and Hoang Tham report.
Can you describe the success of Ninh Binh tourism in the past years and its orientation for the years to come?
In the past years, Ninh Binh tourism has recorded rapid development. In 2006-2010, the average number of tourists increased 29.38 percent per annum. In 2010 alone, Ninh Binh received over 3.3 million visitors including 700,000 foreign tourists with turnover of VND549 billion. In the first five months of 2011, the province received nearly 2.5 million tourists (including 430,000 foreign tourists) with turnover of VND408 billion. Tourism is becoming an important economic sector contributing to economic restructuring, job creation, improving people’s living conditions and expanding relationships with local and foreign visitors.
In the orientation to 2020 and vision of 2030, Ninh Binh will focus on eco-tourism with such destinations as Trang An, Tam Coc - Bich Dong, Van Long submerged area, Cuc Phuong National Park, Kenh Ga – Van Trinh, and biosphere in the Red River Delta. The province will also promote cultural tourism in Hoa Lu ancient capital, Bai Dinh pagoda, Phat Diem stone church, historical relics of Dinh Le, Ly, Tran dynasties and Tam Diep – Bim Son defence line. In addition, Ninh Binh will develop other forms of tourism such as week-end tours, river tours, hot spring resorts in Kenh Ga and Cuc Phuong with conferences and golf course in Dong Thai (Yen Mo) and visits to craft villages.
How do you evaluate the businesses investing in tourism in the province?
The province has 43 tourism projects with total investment capital of VND8,000 billion, nearly 190 motels and over 3,000 bed rooms. Most famous enterprises are Xuan Truong Company developing Trang An cave network and Bai Dinh pagoda; Thuy Anh company building two-star Thuy Anh hotel and four-star Huyen Thoai hotel in Ninh Binh City; Tan Phu Tourism JSC operating Anamandra Resort in Van Long – Gia Vien; PV Inconess developing Dong Thai – Yen Mo resort and golf centre; and Thang Long construction JSC operating four-star Orion Resort in Cuc Phuong – Nho Quan.
Fully aware of the comparative advantages of the province, beside encouraging businesses and concerned economic sectors to develop tourism, Ninh Binh People’s Committee in conjunction with the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism, and Vietnam Association of Cultural Heritage organized in 2008 the seminar “Cultural heritage of Hoa Lu ancient capital and Trang An eco-tourism.” The seminar aimed at highlighting the values of Hoa Lu ancient capital and Trang An eco-tourism, especially in history, culture, geology and ecology. Ninh Binh will continue its research and complete the documents to gain UNESCO recognition of Trang An eco-tourism centre as a world natural and cultural heritage site covering 12,000 hectares including Tam Coc – Bich Dong, Trang An, Hoa Lu ancient capital and Bai Dinh pagoda.
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