Ha Noi-HCM City-Binh Thuan tourist route expected
Update: Jun 01, 2015
A tourist route linking Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Thuan and Phu Quy Island is likely under development following a familiarisation trip for tour operators and related media experts to the south central coastal province of Binh Thuan from May 28-31.

They visited popular attractions, such as the Mui Ne sand dunes, the Ham Tien resort capital, and the wine castle and islets of Phu Quy island, testing accommodation and dining services in hotels and luxury resorts.

During a working session, the provincial Tourism Association informed the delegation that the locality welcomed 3.8 million guests in 2014, with international tourists accounting for 12 percent. All in all, tourism generated 6 trillion VND (285 million USD) in revenue.

In the first quarter of this year, over 1 million tourists arrived in Binh Thuan, up by 6 percent year on year, earning the province around 2 trillion VND (95.2 million USD), a 8.72 percent rise on a yearly basis.

The main tourist route in the region is triangular and includes Sai Gon market, Da Lat flower gardens and Mui Ne beach, as well as the traditional festivals of Nghinh Ong (whale worshipping) and Kate, the association said.

The delegation suggested offering free pick-up services at train and bus stations, maintaining vegetation surrounding hotels and resorts, and improving staff quality.

Binh Thuan is currently home to 271 places of accommodation in 10,400 rooms. Out of these 271, 172 are accredited and three achieved the five-star standard.

The locality is home to 44 travel agencies, including six outbound tour operators.

VNA