In addition to that, the Northern province has created various favorable mechanisms and policies to attract investors and support individuals and groups having initiatives for the development of the province’s tourism sector.
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Tourists interested in experiencing services on Khe Coc |
Incentives and favorable policies to encourage social investment in tourism
After being re-established in 1992, Ninh Binh identified building materials production as a key industry with cement being the main product, accounting for a significant proportion of the total economic output. However, since the 20th Congress of the provincial Party Organization, the province has shifted its focus to developing industries that apply high-tech and green technology while ensuring the harmonious relationship between benefits and development of other economic sectors, particularly tourism industry.
Apart from the State’s investment resources, the province has established favorable policies and incentives to encourage social investment in the tourism sector. To date, local businesses have invested in 40 tourism facility development projects with a total investment of VND 16.2 trillion. Many projects, such as Emeralda resort, Ninh Binh Legend, Hoang Son Peace, The Reed, Ninh Binh Hidden Charm, Bai Dinh, have been effectively operated. Additionally, numerous major tourist sites and destinations have been completed and welcomed a large number of visitors to Ninh Binh, including Trang An, Bai Dinh Pagoda, Thung Nham Bird Garden, and Mua Cave.
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Tourists flock to Hoa Lu Old Quarter. |
Trang An Legend Bungalow-Ninh Binh tourist accommodation in Khe Thuong village, Ninh Xuan commune, Hoa Lu district of Nguyen Van Phuong is one of the successful models in the province. According to Phuong, accommodation facility was built in 2021. In late 2023, his family received a loan of VND 100 million from the province to develop new tourism products. Receiving the loan, Phuong's family dredged a pond to build a fishing model. Staying in his tourist accommodation, tourists have the opportunity to experience sitting on boats, casting net to catch fish. A separate play area was set up for children to experience catching fish, searching for snails, and catching crabs.
Explaining why Ninh Binh chose traditional boat-rowing model to apply to the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex instead of cable car system, Director of the Ninh Binh provincial Tourism Department Bui Van Manh said that apart from low investment cost, this model has created job opportunities for thousands of local residents, thus raising their sense of responsibility for heritage. In heritage management and tourism exploitation at the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, the participation of private enterprises is worth to mention. This model has been carried out with the efforts of State, scientists, businesses, and the local community; operated on the fundamental principles of turning heritage to property, culture to goods, resources to finance, environment to market, and value to price.
Harmonious combination of nature and culture
Seen from above, Khe Coc looks like a heart-shaped island which is located in the center of the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex. Officially operational since the Lunar New Year 2024, Khe Coc has focused on recreating the rich cultural practices of the ancient Trang An residents.
According to Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc, a communication staff of Khe Coc, since it was put into operation, Khe Coc has welcomed from 1,000 to 2,000 people per day and up to 10,000 visitors on Sundays. Notably, during the Lunar New Year 2024 holiday, the island welcomed up to 20,000 visitors per day. Most of the guests showed their interest in learning about the Trang An culture, enjoying artistic performances, and experiencing printing dragon and phoenix patterns, playing games, dancing, and harvesting.
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Enjoying folk music on Ky Lan lake |
Hoang Thi Dung, a tourist from Bai Chay ward, Ha Long city, Quang Ninh province said that she was impressed with ancient space of Trang An and the province’s tourism products of admiring folk music on Ky Lan lake and enjoying special dishes.
Hoa Lu Ancient Capital and Khe Coc are two cultural highlights that the Northern province would like to further develop in the future. Deputy Head of the Management Board of the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex Bui Quang Ninh said that what Ninh Binh cares about right now is how to exploit cultural values and help local community understand those values.
Resolution 105/2023/NQ-HĐND of Ninh Binh Province, taking effect from July 22, 2023, outlines several policies to support tourism development in the province in the 2023-2030 period. Particularly, the province will provide VND 100 million per project for the renovation and repair of houses with traditional architectural styles which are 50 years old or more in the core area of Trang An; VND 100 million per project for building a new house in the area; VND 30 million for each art troupe and club per year to perform at least every 2 months to serve tourists.
(to be continued)
Translated by Tran Hoai