Haiphong Tourism Looks Forward to Sustainable Development

With rapid and sustainable growth, the Haiphong tourism sector now plays an important role to the social-economic development of the city. The local hospitality sector reports the annual growth of 18 per cent in the number of tourists and 23.4 per cent in revenues. In the social-economic development strategy by 2010, Haiphong City aims to turn tourism into a key economic industry based on effective exploitation of its advantages. 

Potentials
Haiphong is famous for Do Son Peninsula, Cat Ba Archipelago. Do Son is a peninsula of beautiful landscapes such as beaches on Dau Island, Bao Dai Villas, Ba De Temple, Tuong Long Tower, Dragon Stream; and famous historical sites and famous festivals Swing Festival, Traditional buffalo Fighting... Cat Ba is also famous for famous tourist sites, including Cat Ba National Park which is being nominated as World Biosphere Reserves by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism. More investments have been poured into Cat Ba. Cat Bat is the place of natural and man-made beauty. Notably, trans-island route linking Dinh Vu- Cat Hai- Cat Ba has been opened and launching of ferry-boats linking Cat Ba Island with the mainland has brought more development chance for the local tourism.

Achievements
In 2007, the city poured investments into upgrading and building tourism infrastructure. In line with guidelines from the municipal People’s Committee, the local hospitality built plan for organisation of Haiphong Tourism Festival 2007 and submitted to the municipal People’s Committee for approval. The festival was held from April 28 to May 1, 2007 in Do Son Beach under the theme “Do Son – Call of The Sea” with series of cultural and sports activities including the opening ceremony; Beach Beauty Queen Contest 2007, Traditional buffalo Fighting 2007, Beach Volley Ball Competition, Sea Dragon-Boat Race and Water-Skiing Performance…; the Food and Drink festival ; introduction of tourism products: Tour to Tien Lang Tourist Area; outside activities for students…; exhibitions- fairs; the Haiphong International Sculpture Camp with the theme “Do Son – Inspiration from the Sea” Hon Dau International Tourist Area; cultural and sports activities of other localities and foreign countries were also introduced at the festival.

Looking Towards the Future
Vietnam is now emerging as a safe and attractive tourist destination. Therefore, Vietnam generally and Haiphong particularly will welcome more foreign tourist arrivals in the upcoming time. Thanks to the Government’s strategies and policies to lure foreign investors and boost cooperation with other countries worldwide, Haiphong’s tourism sector will strongly develop in the future. Haiphong aims to welcome more than 5.6 million tourists, including 1.3 million foreign tourist arrivals by 2010. Tourism sector will become a key economic sector and contribute 4.5 per cent of the city’s GDP by the time.
Trinh Long