Binh Thuan Towards National Centre of Sea Tourism and Sports

After nearly 22 years of development, Binh Thuan tourism has increasingly asserted its position in domestic and international markets. With long and sustainable development steps, tourism has become not only a strong economic sector of Binh Thuan province, but also a bright spot on the tourism map of Vietnam.

Strong appeal
With its huge potential, appropriate policies and local investment, the tourism brand of Phan Thiet - Binh Thuan is further developed and perfected to gradually become a national tourism city. Especially, among the 51 best hotels in Vietnam announced by leading tourism agent brand Mytour in the framework of the 2017 Mytour Hotels Awards, Binh Thuan province has Mui Ne Paradise Beach Resort, Tien Dat Resort, The Sailing Bay Beach Resort, The Cliff Resort & Residences, and Romana Resort & Spa. Princess d'Annam Resort & Spa was voted one of 10 most luxurious resorts in Vietnam by international tourists. Most recently, Bamboo Village Beach Resort & Spa was ranked a Top 10 four-star hotel in Vietnam 2017.

Data from the Binh Thuan Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism showed that tourist arrivals to Binh Thuan grow 12 - 14 per cent annually and tourism revenue climbs 19 - 20 per cent. In 2016, more than 4.5 million visitors arrived in Binh Thuan province, an increase of 8.8 per cent over 2015, and tourism revenue reached VND9,046 billion, up 18.4 per cent year on year. In 2017, Binh Thuan will continue to unlock its potential and advantages to add more interesting tourism products and services to the market, including many marine tourism, water sports, ecological tourism and community tourism products.

The province has accelerated tourism promotion to lure more visitors and encourage them to stay longer and spend more. In the first six months of 2017, it welcomed 2.3 million visitors, fulfilling 45.87 per cent of the yearly plan and rising 9.67 per cent over the same period of 2016. Of the sum, international visitors were nearly 296,000, up 17.77 per cent year on year, with big numbers from Russia, China and South Korea. Tourism revenue was estimated at VND5,343 billion, up 18.72 per cent year on year.

Confident for further development
After 22 years of integration and development, the tourism industry of Binh Thuan province is confident as an excellent destination in the nation and in the region. One of important foundation for Binh Thuan to become a national marine tourism centre is the Strategic Plan for Vietnam Tourism Development to 2020 of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Wherein, Mui Ne - Phan Thiet - Binh Thuan is defined as a national tourism centre in need of increased infrastructure development investment, strategic planning development and brand promotion.

The Resolution of the 13th Provincial Party Congress (2015-2020 term) also states: "The province will unlock local potential and advantages, step up measures to develop tourism into the key economic sector, effectively carry out the marine tourism - water sports centre of the national class, and build and maintain the national brand of Ham Tien - Mui Ne tourist site”. On October 24, 2016, the Binh Thuan Provincial Party Committee issued Resolution 09-NQ/TU on tourism development to 2020 with the aim of making tourism a key professional economic sector with modern synchronised technical infrastructure, well-branded high-quality tourism products imbued with national cultural identity. By 2020, Binh Thuan will become a national marine tourism - water sports centre; Mui Ne will become a national tourist centre; Phu Quy will be gradually built into a national tourist destination; and Phan Thiet will become a tourist city. The province targets to welcome 7 million visitors, including 850,000 international tourists, representing a respective annual growth of 10 - 12 per cent and 12 - 14 per cent. Tourism will contribute 10 per cent of the province's gross regional domestic product (GRDP).

In addition to reviewing, adjusting, supplementing and developing tourism development plans, Binh Thuan also develops tourism products and connects local tourist sites; builds inter-regional tours to unlock local potential and create diverse charming products; enhances cooperation between local firms and external and foreign partners to tap tourism potential; and completes the infrastructure system together with further public administration reform, environmental protection, and security guarantee for tourists.

Viet Hung