Fun Cup Wind Surfing Championship 2017 held in Binh Thuan (Photo: VNA)
Binh Thuan (VNA) - Together with its brand which has gained a foothold through the development and integration process, the central coastal province Binh Thuan is aiming at becoming a nationally and internationally acclaimed destination.
Implementing a politburo resolution on developing tourism into a spearhead economic industry, the Binh Thuan tourism sector has mobilized all resources to uphold its coastal tourism potential and advantage.
Thanks to this, Binh Thuan has gradually become a highlight not only in Vietnam’s tourism map but also in the world as a well-known resort destination.
Ngo Minh Chinh, Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism said it has paid heed to planning coastal areas to call for investment in large scale tourism projects.
On the other hands, the province has directed the acceleration of tourism projects, focused on removing obstacles and created conditions for projects to operate soon. It also revokes projects which fail to implement or being in slow progress.
From 2017 till now, the province has had 21 tourism projects approved for investment, revoked 28 slow implementation projects. There are currently 378 valid investment tourism projects covering a total area of 6,300 ha of land and total registered capital of 59 trillion VND. To date, 184 tourism projects have put into operation.
To turn tourism into an economic spearhead in the time ahead and build Mui Ne national tourism site under the Prime Minister’s plan, the province has sped up investment calling, thus attracting a number of strategic investors who are strong in economic potential and experience in tourism with a total investment of over 10 billion VND/ project, covering 1,000 ha of land to develop hi-end tourism complexes.
Apart from 490 accommodation establishments with 15,000 rooms, and 860 houses and villas in service of holiday-makers, Binh Thuan boasts stable railway and maritime transport systems.
The Sai Gon- Phan Thiet rail route includes SPT1 and SPT2 trains, the Phan Thiet-Phu Quy sea transport operates stably, meeting demand of local people and tourists.
Apart from accelerating highway projects crossing the province, Binh Thuan also boosts connection with Lam Dong, south central coastal provinces, Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to attract investment in tourism.
Nguyen Ngoc Hai, Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, said Binh Thuan has become a key national tourism destination with diverse products.
Tourism spurred local economic development, generating jobs for thousands of labourers, especially those in rural and coastal areas, and preserving the historical and cultural values of the locality.
To turn tourism into a spearhead economic sector, Binh Thuan has stepped up investment attraction, accelerated the implementation of expressway projects and intensified tourism connectivity with the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong, other south central provinces and Ho Chi Minh City.
The locality aims to serve 7 million travellers by 2020 and earn 18.3 trillion VND (786.9 million USD) from the tourism sector, which is expected to contribute about 10 percent of the province’s gross regional domestic product.
Binh Thuan has a coastline of 192km, with various beautiful landscapes such as Mui Yen, Cau isle, Ke Ga lighthouse, Ganh Son, Gieng Tien, and the Hon Cau Marine Protected Area where hundreds of rare species live.
In addition, Binh Thuan boasts Phu Quy island which is known as “the pearl in the middle of the sea” and located about 56 nautical miles off the coast. Meanwhile, Mui Ne beach, with its warm and windy climate, has served as a venue for well-known surfers from the UK, France, Russia, Germany, and Australia.
Part of Mui Ne tourism site, Binh Thuan (Photo: VNA) In 2018, Binh Thuan welcomed more than 5.7 million tourists, up 12.8 percent year-on-year, with foreign arrivals reaching 675,000, up 14.3 percent.
Foreign visitors to Binh Thuan mainly came from Russia, China, the Republic of Korea, the UK, France and Germany.
By 2020, the province set a target of welcoming seven million tourists with foreign tourist growth of 12-14 percent per year on average. It is also expected to earn 18.3 trillion VND from tourism, contributing 10 percent to the province’s GRDP.-VNA
