Ninh Binh province, with its rich nature, culture, and history, is emerging as a tourism magnet for northern Viet Nam, a potential that can be exploited further by enhancing cooperation with other localities in the region.
Located in the southernmost part of the Red River Delta, Viet Nam’s northern key economic region, Ninh Binh features numerous geographical terrains with a combination of forests, mountains, rivers, lakes, floodplains, lowlands and a coastline.
These natural features have created spectacular landscapes, such as Cuc Phuong National Park, Tam Coc–Bich Dong caves, Van Long Nature Reserve, Kenh Ga hot springs, Kim Son district’s coastline, and the Trang An tourism complex - a UNESCO-recognised cultural and natural heritage site.
The province, home to the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, is well-known for its cultural values as seen through a multitude of relic sites, festivals, craft villages and traditional cuisine.
Ninh Binh is part of the Prime Ministerial Master Plan for Tourism Development in the Red River Delta and the Northeastern Coastal Region for 2030.
To implement the plan, the province has signed cooperation agreements with 10 cities and provinces.
Notably, Ninh Binh joined hands with Ha Noi and Quang Ninh province to develop tours of their heritage sites, such as Ha Noi–Ha Long Bay (Quang Ninh)–Ninh Binh, and Huong Pagoda (Ha Noi)–Bai Dinh Pagoda–Trang An tourism complex (Ninh Binh).
The province is also developing tours to the nation’s ancient capitals, including Hoa Lu in Ninh Binh province, Phong Chau in Phu Tho province, Co Loa and Thang Long Imperial Citadel in Ha Noi, Lam Kinh–Ho Dynasty Citadel in Thanh Hoa province, and Hue in Thua Thien-Hue province.
General Director of the Viet Nam National Administration of Tourism Nguyen Van Tuan said Ninh Binh needs to form links with regional destinations, like Hanoi, Quang Ninh and Nam Dinh, as well as other tourism hubs, such as Thanh Hoa and Thua Thien-Hue provinces.
It should strengthen its connections with State agencies, travel companies and local tourism associations to continue developing its tourism services, he added.
Due to its initial efforts, the province has reported improvements, including an increase of 1.3 percent in tourism revenue, totalling 750 billion VND (over 35.7 million USD), during the first 9 months of the year.