6:00:34 PM | 20/3/2008
Tra Vinh tourism is regarded as very promising, with Khmer culture, festivities and architecture, scenic beaches and year-round fruit trees, and ancient pagodas of the Kinh, Hoa and Khmer ethnic nationalities.
Sufficient investment needed
Tra Vinh attracts local and foreign tourists all year round with traditional festivities of various cultures and religions. In the first nine months of 2007, the province received 180,000 tourists with turnover of VND27 billion. Five investors invested over VND200 billion in Ba Dong sea-tourism area of 250 ha, with three projects already operating. The province continues to call for investment, offering preferential treatment on land rent, taxes and other assistance.
However, Tra Vinh tourism remains small scale and unprofessional compared to other provinces. Ba Dong and Ba Om tourist centres lack investment for development. Festivities are well organized but operate under local standards remain unknown nationwide. Poor infrastructure and lack of expertise have also restricted tourism development. According to Mr Tran Hoang Be, Director of Tra Vinh Trade and Tourism Department, Canada has assisted the province in conducting surveys for sustainable tourism development. 20 travel companies have registered for business cooperation. However, the province also needs the investment of local businesses.
Sea-tourism as spearhead
The province considers tourism an important sector in the socioeconomic structure. It will focus on developing Ba Dong sea-tourism centre, Ao Ba Om, President Ho Temple, Long Tri Islet, Tra Vinh Green Park and at the same time upgrading cultural festivals of ethnic nationalities to attract tourists.
Together with the provinces of Tien Giang, Ben Tre and Vinh Long, Tra Vinh will form a tourism rectangle and with the assistance of related partners, Tra Vinh will become an attractive destination for local and foreign tourists. Bien Dong company (HCMC) has invested over VND16 billion to develop infrastructure in the 14 ha Ba Dong ecotourism centre. As a result, Ba Dong sea tourism centre will be expanded along 15 km of the coast with several swimming beaches and improved facilities for tourists.
Tra Vinh tourism has a master plan of development until 2010. It will invest over VND50 billion for infrastructure and expand Ao Ba Om with Ang pagoda, Khmer culture museum, sport centre, and trade and service centre. It will also upgrade the President Ho Temple, the 169 ha Long Tri Islet with fruit trees, forests, fishing and boating along the Tien River, and develop 250 ha in Ba Dong sea tourism centre.
Hoang Kim
Vietnamese
