To make Nghe An become a tourist center of the North Central region
(Baonghean.vn) - Implementing Resolution 08-NQ/TW of the Politburo on developing tourism into a spearhead economic sector, the Provincial Party Committee and Provincial People's Committee have synchronously deployed many solutions to promote sustainable tourism development. Thereby, contributing to the implementation of socio-economic development goals, job creation, service sector development and infrastructure.
Potential and initial results
Nghe An is located in the center of North Central Vietnam, with many natural landscapes and rich ecosystems of flora, fauna, caves and waterfalls, still retaining its pristine and majestic beauty. Here is the Western Biosphere Reserve recognized by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve; has an 82 km long coastline with many beautiful beaches such as: Cua Lo, Bai Lu, Quynh Phuong, Quynh Lap and coastal islands that can be exploited to develop various types of eco-tourism and resorts.
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| Thanh Chuong Tea Island (Nghe An). Photo archive |
In particular, Nghe Tinh Vi and Giam folk songs are recognized as representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity, contributing to creating a unique and attractive cultural treasure and a valuable resource to exploit and create unique tourism products.
Nghe An has a trans-Vietnam road and railway route passing through it, Cua Lo international seaport, Vinh international airport, and is one of the important gateways of the East-West economic corridor connecting Myanmar - Thailand - Laos - Vietnam with the East Sea via National Highway 7 and National Highway 48. This is a favorable condition for expanding economic, cultural and tourism cooperation with countries in the region.
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| Boat racing at Cua Lo River Festival. Photo: Archive |
The master plan for tourism development in Nghe An until 2020 has also been approved in Decision 2737/QD-UBND dated June 12, 2009 of the Provincial People's Committee along with many programs and projects on tourism development in the area.
Thanks to that, Nghe An tourism activities in recent years have had positive changes, the development space has been expanded, not only limited to coastal areas but also increasingly spreading to the Western districts with more diverse and attractive tourism products: cultural tourism associated with spirituality, beach resort tourism, eco-tourism associated with the community, rural agricultural tourism...
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| Uncle Ho's hometown - one of the attractive destinations for tourists. Photo courtesy of Thanh Cuong |
Cooperation in tourism development is constantly expanding. Nghe An has signed cooperation programs and attracted large domestic tourism corporations and businesses to invest and do business such as: Saigontourist, Vietravel, Vingroup, Muong Thanh...
In 2017 and 2018 alone, after the marine environmental incident in the Central provinces, Nghe An tourism has recovered rapidly, with the number of visitors increasing by an average of 15.5% per year, of which international visitors increased by an average of 32.9% per year; tourism revenue increased by an average of 40.4% per year.
In the first 6 months of 2019, the tourism industry continued to maintain a growth rate of 8.5% in the number of guests staying and 20% in revenue from tourism services.
Directions for the next leg
However, compared to the requirements and strengths of resources, Nghe An tourism development is posing many problems that need to be solved. The quality of growth is not commensurate with the potential, the number of international visitors is still very low, the spending level of tourists is still low; the products are still monotonous, there are not many unique products, the effectiveness of cooperation and linkage in tourism development has not been fully promoted, the role of the region's tourism center has not been clearly demonstrated...
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| Quang Trung Temple, Vinh City. Photo: Thanh Cuong |
Firstly, develop a system of key tourism products associated with the positioning of the tourist market. Especially the specific products bearing the Nghe An brand based on the advantages of natural and cultural tourism resources with outstanding values such as: Kim Lien - Nam Dan Special National Monument, Pu Mat National Park; Vi, Giam Folk Heritage; Cua Lo, Nghi Loc, Hoang Mai beaches... In which, priority is given to developing high-quality products, rural agricultural tourism, community tourism.
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| Cua Lo beach is an ideal place to cool off for tourists and locals. Photo: Archive |
Second, build a modern and synchronous tourism infrastructure system, including: Railway, road, and air transport infrastructure connecting within the province, domestically and internationally. The system of tourist attractions, tourism, accommodation, resorts, entertainment, sports, shopping, passenger transportation, telecommunications, healthcare, banking, rest stops, public toilets... with quality to meet the diverse and increasingly high needs of tourists, thereby extending their stay and increasing their spending.
Third, build a tourism human resource that is sufficient in quantity, has professional qualifications, technical skills, foreign languages and a reasonable structure, meeting national and international standards.
In the remaining months of 2019, the tourism industry needs to focus on directing and effectively implementing the following tasks and solutions:
1. Continue to direct the implementation of tasks in Plan No. 62/KH-UBND of the Provincial People's Committee, Resolution No. 103/NQ-CP of the Government and Action Program No. 55-Ctr/TU of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee on implementing Resolution 08-NQ/TW of the Politburo. The focus is on developing a Project to develop Nghe An's unique tourism products by 2025, policies and mechanisms to encourage the development of community tourism, and promoting tourism associated with solutions to boost growth.
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| Community tourism in the Western region of Nghe An. Photo courtesy of Thanh Cuong |
2. Accelerate the progress of local transport infrastructure projects related to tourism connectivity as well as key tourism investment projects: Vinpearl Cua Hoi entertainment and cable car complex phase II; Cau Cau mixed-use tourism, service and resort area; Eco-tourism and entertainment complex in Nghi Tien commune (Nghi Loc);... Implement procedures to prepare for receiving the "Tourism infrastructure development project to support comprehensive growth in the Greater Mekong Subregion - Phase II" funded by ADB, taking advantage of the support of non-governmental projects to support the development of community tourism models in the Western region.
3. Strengthen cooperation and linkage in tourism development within and outside the province, focusing on provinces and cities in the tourism development driving force, the North Central and Central Highlands provinces. In which, focus on effectively implementing the Strategic Cooperation Memorandum signed with the Tourism Corporations and Groups; continue to implement the tourism development cooperation program with provinces of Laos, Thailand and other countries in ASEAN, Russia, China, Japan, and Korea to promote rapid increase in international visitors.
4. Promote domestic and international tourism market, focusing on implementing the contents of the agreement with Ulyanovsk province (Russia), preparing to participate in a number of domestic and international tourism promotion activities approved by the Provincial People's Committee.
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| Nghe An Provincial People's Committee and Saigon Tourist Corporation Limited (Saigontourist) signed a strategic cooperation agreement for the period 2019 - 2025. Photo courtesy of Duc Anh |
5. Actively organize training courses on professional skills, foreign languages for managers, tour guides, food processing technicians, hotel and restaurant service staff, and people working in community tourism...;
6. Strengthen the management of the quality of tourist destinations, do a good job of ensuring security, order, environmental protection and safety for tourists at tourist areas and spots in order to build a truly safe, civilized, friendly and quality tourism environment in Nghe An to attract visitors.
The completion of the tourism growth targets and plans in 2019 will actively contribute to the whole province achieving and exceeding socio-economic development targets, creating a premise to complete the goals of the Resolution of the 18th Provincial Party Congress and the following years./.