Binh Thuan (VNA) – The comprehensive development of transportinfrastructure and improvement in tourism products are among the keys to turningtourism into a spearhead economic sector in the south-central coastal provinceof Binh Thuan, experts said.

Binh Thuan is also striving to become a national sea tourism-sports hub in thecountry by 2020. The locality has also set the annual target of welcoming some7 million arrivals by the end of the decade, including around 850,000 foreignvisitors.


Attending a seminar held by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce andIndustry’s Binh Thuan province chapter and the Binh Thuan Tourism Associationon December 21, Tran Du Lich – member of the Prime Minister’s Economic AdvisoryGroup – laid stress on the local potential for tourism development.

He suggested the province work to lure investments in global standardisedresorts, enhancing tourism promotion, and strengthening regional tourismconnection.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association Nguyen Huu Tho said that further effort is needed to ensure safety for travellers, prevent tourism scamsor cheating, and develop local staple products.

Using social networks to popularise local culture and tourist attractions ishighly recommended, he underlined, adding that the province should encouragebusinesses to focus on high-quality human resources training.

According to Nguyen Lan Ngoc – Vice Director of the provincial Department ofCulture, Sports, and Tourism – the tourism sector will work to improve the businessclimate, complete tourism infrastructure, and build Binh Thuan as a safe, friendlydestination for both domestic and foreign tourists.

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 rarespecies live.

In addition, Binh Thuan boasts Phu Quy islandwhich is known as “the pearl in the middle of the sea” and located about 56nautical miles off the coast of the province. Meanwhile, Mui Ne beach, with itswarm and windy climate, has served as a venue for well-known surfers from theUK, France, Russia, Germany, and Australia.

Thanks to efforts to improve the management workand diversify tourism products, the number of tourists heading to the localityhas risen year after year. Sea sports,like windsurfing and kite-surfing, and adventure tours have helped lengthentourists’ stay.

Last year, Binh Thuan served over 5.1 milliontourists, earning 10.8 trillion VND (460.7 million USD).

The south central province of Binh Thuan expectsto receive 5.7 million visitors for all of 2018, a jump of 12 percent from lastyear. Total earnings from tourism services are predicted to surge 18.8 percentto 12.8 trillion VND (550.9 million USD).

Roughly 675,000 foreigners chose Binh Thuan fortheir holidays, with China and the Republic of Korea the top tourist sources,accounting for 28 percent and 13 percent of total international arrivals to thelocality, respectively.

Meanwhile, stable growth was seen in touristarrivals from traditional markets like Russia, the UK, and France.–VNA