Connectivity - the power of tourism development

(Baonghean) - One of the highlights of the tourism industry after 4 years of implementing the 5-year plan (2011-2015) is the linkage to build unique products.

One of the hallmarks of the tourism industry in the past term is the cooperation in building unique products to attract tourists. Specifically, in November 2013, the three localities of Cua Lo - Nam Dan - Vinh signed a cooperation agreement to promote the advantages of the three districts in the journey to Nghe An.

Accordingly, all three focus on promoting their unique potentials and strengths in tourism to build sustainable products, creating a spillover effect to other localities in the province.

Assessing this connection, Mr. Nguyen Manh Cuong - Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism affirmed: Thanks to the close connection, the Vinh - Nam Dan - Cua Lo tourist route has exploited the existing tourism potential of the localities, initially forming spiritual tourism tours: Van Loc Temple (Cua Lo), Hong Son Temple, Can Linh Pagoda (Vinh City), Duc Son Pagoda, Vua Mai Temple (Nam Dan); or visiting and shopping in Vinh City, enjoying specialties in Cua Lo and offering incense to commemorate President Ho Chi Minh in Nam Dan...

In particular, after the folk song heritage Vi and Giam was recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity, all three localities will bring folk songs to serve tourists.

Tourists visit Uncle Ho's maternal home. Photo: Phan Toan

In parallel, in recent times, our province has promoted the connection between provinces in the North Central region, including 6 provinces along National Highway 1A stretching from Thanh Hoa to Thua Thien Hue, to promote tourism activities. Thanks to this connection, the number of tourists to Nghe An in particular and the provinces in the North Central region in general is increasing.

Specifically: The average growth rate in the period of 2011 - 2015 was 6%/year, in which in 2014, the total number of guests staying reached 106% compared to the same period in 2013. In 2015, there were many favorable conditions, so the number of guests staying was estimated at 3.60 - 3.65 million, reaching the target set by the Resolution of the 17th Provincial Party Congress. Total revenue from tourism services was 2,500 billion VND, reaching the target set by the Resolution of the 17th Provincial Party Congress with an average growth rate in the period of 2011 - 2015 of 20.1%/year.

Mr. Ta Khac Uyen - Director of Nghe An Tourism Joint Stock Company said: Thanks to this close connection, a number of new tours along the Vinh - Vientiane (Laos) and Vinh - Lien Khuong (Lam Dong) air routes have been deployed. In the last 2 years of the term alone, our Company has brought tourists many rich tours in the province and in the region such as: Vinh - Da Nang - Hue - Quang Binh - Vinh; Vinh - Ho Chi Minh City - Rach Gia - Phu Quoc - Can Tho - My Tho - Vinh...

In addition, the province has also promoted and expanded the connection with countries in the region and countries sharing the border. Specifically: Currently, we have built many road tours from Vinh to provinces of Laos, northeastern Thailand such as Vientiane Capital - Udonthani Province, Bangkok Capital... with tours such as "Eating three countries in one day", "Three ancient capitals, one destination", "Three countries, one destination"...

A corner of Vinh Airport.

Mr. Cao Duc Cuong - tour guide of Caravan Asia Trade and Tourism Joint Stock Company said: The attraction of the Vinh - Vientiane - Udonthani tour is the harmony between the religious cultures of the three countries. If coming to Vinh - Lao and Thai visitors will visit Kim Lien relic site, Ho Chi Minh Square, swim at Cua Lo beach, explore Pu Mat national forest, offer incense at Hoang Muoi temple - the sacred temple of Nghe An, then coming to Laos, visitors will pray for luck and fortune at Mesirmuang pagoda - the most sacred pagoda in Vientiane capital, visit Thap Luong square - the symbol of the birth of Laos, the victory monument located on Lanxang Avenue; going to Northeast Thailand, visitors cannot miss the Uncle Ho Memorial Area in Muong district - Udonthani province, admire Salakeoku Buddha Park - a unique architectural work, a combination of Hinduism and Buddhism...

Thanh Thuy