Kien Giang tourism has recorded remarkable progress in recent years. The province received 2,571,000 tourists in 2006 (11.31 per cent more than 2005) with turnover of VND327,103 billion. So far, the province has 138investment projects in tourism, including 109 in Phu Quoc island, 13 in Ha Tien town and 7 in Kien Luong district.
Kien Giang is making tourism a spearhead sector to boost the development of other sectors such as trade, service and handicrafts. The province has focused on tourism planning and investment. Infrastructure has been completed to attract investors in such tourism projects as Bai Vong –Phu Quoc, Mui Nai – Ha Tien, Hon Trem –Chua Hang. So far, 31 projects have been granted licenses with a total area of 189 hectares and investment capital of VND 1.071 billion. In addition, 97 projects have been approved, with 4,604 hectares and VND50,068 billion, including 97 projects on Phu Quoc Island, with 4,035 hectares and VND49.303 billion.
The success is partly due to investment promotion. Kien Giang Tourism Service and related authorities have organized border trade fairs and seminars on Kien Giang – Thailand tours, and participated in exhibitions and fairs in other provinces to promote tourism. In recent years, in cooperation with Kampot province and Kep city of Cambodia, Kien Giang Tourist Centre has organized tours to Cambodia helping Vietnamese people better understand the land and people of Cambodia, and strengthening the friendship and neighbourhood of the two countries.
Mr Bui Ngoc Suong, Chairman of Kien Giang People’s Committee said, as one of the five key tourism centres of Vietnam and placing high priority on tourism development, Kien Giang has great advantages in attracting investments. Duong Dong border gate economic zone and Phu Quoc have rolled out the red carpet for investors, offering exemption of enterprise income tax for the first four years after making profit, and 50 per cent reduction in the following four years. Large industrial projects of special investment will receive exemption from enterprise income tax for eight years.
Kien Giang has four key tourism centres. VND 84 billion has been invested into the infrastructure of 8 projects in Phu Quoc, Ha Tien, Kien Luong and Rach Gia city.
1. Phu Quoc Island: 10 years ago, Phu Quoc was known only as an island famous for fish sauce. It has now become a paradise for tourism. Each year, the island receives nearly 100,000 tourists, half of them from foreign countries. There will be two high-class tourist complexes with four golf courses, 3-5 star hotels, villas and garden houses, as well as various eco-tourism sites on rivers, forest hiking and mountain climbing. Presently, Phu Quoc is waiting for the Government’s approval of opening a casino
2. Ha Tien – Kien Luong: It is the second largest tourism potential after Phu Quoc. Ha Tien is rich in historical and cultural relics and beautiful landscapes. The town is calling for tourism investment in Mui Nai cape, the mountains of Thach Dong, Da Dung, Den, To Chau, Binh San cultural relic, Dong Ho eco-tourism, Tien Hai archipelago, Kien Luong beach – Ba Lua archipelago. Licenses have been granted to investors in Phu Tu rocks, Tien cave, and Da Hon lake. Hon Re Nho and Hon Trem tourist sites have been completed and started operating Phase I, while Phase II will be completed in 2007. Presently, Ha Tien has some 10 hotels and hundreds of guesthouses together with several hotels under construction.
3. Rach Gia city and vicinities: Rach Gia is regarded as a transit centre for other tourist sites namely Rach Gia – Hon Tre, Rach Gia – Phu Quoc, Rach Gia – Ha Tien – An Giang. Services can be developed in Rach Gia especially hotels, restaurants, recreation and night life. Meanwhile, tourism can also be developed in surrounding areas such as Kien Hai island, Hon Dat, Go Quao.
The city is calling for investment in a 5-star hotel with 200-400 rooms at the new beach for MICE service. It also encourages investments in tourism on sea, rivers, orchards and craft villages.
4. Ca Mau peninsula: Upper U Minh submerged forest land has been recently recognized as a nature reserve area of the province, together with Phu Quoc national park and Ha Tien – Kien Luong submerged cajeput area. The province will continue tourism planning for revolutionary relics, and eco-tourism plans Upper U Minh national park. The province will also cooperate with neighbouring provinces Hau Giang and Ca Mau to develop eco-tourism and cultural research in U Minh area.
Kim Bao
Vietnamese
