Nghe An is open to welcoming initiatives for tourism development.

(Baonghean.vn) – With over 400 delegates including leaders of the Party and State, central ministries and agencies; leaders of provinces and cities in the North and South Central regions; leading experts, businesses, and training institutions in tourism, as well as some foreign embassies in Vietnam…, the scientific conference on tourism development in the North and South Central regions will feature valuable presentations and analyses, building a "handbook" for regional tourism linkages.

Domestic travel agencies survey the sunflower fields in Nghe An. Photo: Thu Huong.

The North Central and South Central Coastal regions are two of the seven tourism regions targeted for development by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in the Vietnam Tourism Development Strategy to 2020, with a vision to 2030. These regions possess significant tourism potential. The tourism product systems of both the North and South Central regions have been largely developed, establishing their image in the market.

However, in recent times, the collaboration in developing tourism products has not been strongly implemented by the provinces. Meanwhile, collaboration for tourism development is currently a general trend in Vietnam.

Therefore, on February 20, 2016, Nghe An province hosted the Workshop on Tourism Development Linkage in the North-South Central Region with the aim of effectively exploiting the strengths of each locality's tourism resources. At the same time, it aimed to gradually create a common destination based on the formation of a chain of unique and attractive tourism products to attract tourists, thereby expanding the market, attracting investment, training human resources, and promoting the common destination. The workshop was an opportunity for Nghe An province in particular, and the provinces in the North-South Central region in general, to listen to and receive practical and insightful opinions to solve the difficult problem of tourism development and regional linkage.

Travel businesses showcasing the traditional weaving craft of the Thai ethnic group in Na village (Con Cuong). Photo: Vuong Bang.

The 27 presentations at the workshop focused on three main themes: Advantages and roles of localities in linking tourism development in the North and South Central regions; Strategic orientation for the development and linkage of tourism in the North and South Central regions; and Solutions for linking tourism development in the North and South Central regions.

Prior to the conference, Nghe An province organized a famtrip for media agencies, travel businesses, major investors from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, and BIDV Bank to survey and evaluate Nghe An province's tourism products along the following route: Vinh – Nam Dan – Do Luong – Con Cuong – Nghia Dan – Yen Thanh – Cua Lo – Vinh.

The workshop program included an exhibition of tourism publications, beautiful photos, and local products from 7 districts, towns, and cities with outstanding tourism potential in Nghe An province, as well as other provinces in the North and South Central regions.

Phuoc Anh