Authorities in the northern province of Vinh Phuc have rolled out a host of incentives to attract investment and make tourism a spearhead economic sector, with major and prestigious groups being sought to invest in areas ripe with potential but facing difficulties in changing their economic structure.
Aerial view of Tam Dao tourist site in Vinh Phuc (Source: baovinhphuc.com.vn)
In addition to establishing and reviewing plans in line with regulations, the provincial People’s Committee has also enhanced investment promotion programmes and taken the initiative in seeking investors for large-scale projects, while at the same time avoiding those that are labour- or energy-intensive and put the environment at risk.
In the recent past, local leaders and relevant agencies have arranged working sessions with leading businesses and investors to promote the investment climate and also invited them to attend trade promotion conferences.
Home to renowned tourist sites such as Tam Dao, Tay Thien, and Dai Lai, Vinh Phuc has posted breakthroughs in tourism development over the last few years.
The list of ongoing projects is updated in a timely manner, especially those in services, tourism, agricultural development, and socio-economic infrastructure.
The province is attempting to attract greater investment in tourism projects boasting huge potential, including Tam Dao 2, Dam Vac, Dai Lai, and Vinh Thinh-An Tuong resorts, and eco-tourism projects on Tam Dao Mountain.
Furthermore, due regard has been paid to the building of roads, lighting systems, and water drainage. Local authorities have also devised specific policies to create optimal conditions for tourism investors.
They will join hands with investors to provide training for local workers and create stable jobs for them at high-quality tourism complexes.
Vinh Phuc has attracted a total of 29 new tourism projects since 2016, five of which have received additional capital.
Notable projects include Flamingo Dai Lai, with registered capital of more than 6 trillion VND (258.9 million USD), and the first phase of the Tam Dao II project belonging to property developer the Sun Group, with nearly 3 trillion VND.
The first phase of the FLC Luxury Resort Vinh Phuc has come on stream, with about 600 billion VND earmarked in total. Many other projects have become operational and attracted a large number of holidaymakers.
With suitable mechanisms and policies and, especially, due attention paid and optimal conditions offered by local authorities, a host of major groups have looked to invest in Vinh Phuc.
The Doji group is studying an area surrounding Xa Huong Lake in Tam Dao district, while An Thinh Vinh Phuc is seeking to build the Ban Long and Gia Khau golf courses in Tam Dao and Binh Xuyen.
Meanwhile, an eco-tourism project from the Nam Tam Dao company around Thanh Lanh Lake in Binh Xuyen is underway.
Other investors have surveyed areas boasting substantial potential, such as Dam Rung in Vinh Tuong district, Van Truc Lake in Lap Thach district, and Bo Lac in Song Lo district.
Vinh Phuc province welcomed about 6.1 million tourist arrivals last year, 17 percent higher than in 2018, including 43,500 foreigners, and earned 1.9 trillion VND (nearly 82 million USD) from the tourism sector, according to industry insiders.
The figures are impressive, as in 2016 the province, just north of the capital Hanoi, welcomed only 3.8 million visitors, including 28,000 foreigners, and 5.2 million in 2018, including 40,200 foreigners.
Tam Dao is a small mountainous township at an altitude of 1,000 metres above sea level with cool weather throughout the year, much like Da Lat and Sa Pa. It is also just 70 km from Hanoi, which makes it an ideal summer getaway on the weekend.
There are plenty of options in the town for tourists keen to take a break from busy city life./.