Binh Dinh Tourism: New destination

Binh Dinh Tourism: New destination

VIB Forum interviewed Mr Vu Hoang Ha, Chairman of the People's Committee of Binh Dinh province, about its tourism sector’s development prospectt.

Binh Dinh tourism has recorded fine achievements in the last two years, could you explain the reasons for this success?

Indeed, progress has been made in the past two years. In 2004, the number of tourists increased by 50 per cent. Tourist centres and services have been improved to make Binh Dinh a key tourist area in Central Vietnam. The province has developed tourism taking advantage of stable socio-economic development and Vietnam’s position in the region and the world.

With the assistance of central agencies, especially the Vietnam Administration of Tourism, Binh Dinh has focused on the development of tourism with specific plans of action for 2001-2005. Accordingly, certain policies and measures have been implemented such as the master plan to 2010 and orientation to 2020, plans for development of tourist centres and tours, incentives for local and foreign investments, upgrading historic and cultural relics, and the expansion of cooperation with Ho Chi Minh City and other provinces.

What role will tourism play in the future economic development of the province ?

Tourism is an all-round economic sector, relating to several industries and localities. With great potential in natural and human resources, Binh Dinh regards tourism as an important economic sector of high priority in investment (tourism, export, seaport, and finance) so as to make the province a key tourist centre and one of the five key economic provinces in Central Vietnam.

Major tourist programmes have been organised recently such as "Happy Holiday - Heritage Tour". How does the province participate in those programmes?

Tourist programmes are highly related and co-ordinated. The province welcomes and supports tourist programmes both national and regional. The province can develop diverse tourist activities, especially eco-tourism and historic-cultural tourism with various tourist products.

The province is continuing to perfect its own programmes and participate actively in national and regional programmes, especially the "Happy Holiday - Heritage Tour" in Central Vietnam.

Binh Dinh will develop key tourist tours such as Phuong Mai - Ba Mountain, Quy Nhon - Cau River, East-West Corridor (Highway 19), Quang Trung Museum, Cham Towers, and the Old Citadel. Roads and bridges will be expanded such as Quy Nhon - Nho Hoi, Nhon Hoi - Tam Quan, Phu Cat airport - Nhon Hoi IZ. Quy Nhon will be a beautiful and clean city. Tourist services and products will be upgraded. The province is asking Vietnam Airlines to extend the flights from Quy Nhon - HCMC, Quy Nhon - Da Nang - Hanoi to increase tourist tours.

The province wishes to develop cooperation with other localities, and with Vietnamese and foreign investors to make Binh Dinh an important new tourist destination in Vietnam.

• Quoc Tuan