More tours based on river routes will be developed in the near future to boost tourism in the southern province of Binh Duong, according to Nguyen Thanh Phong, deputy director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
The department co-operated with the Viet Nam National Administration of Tourism to hold a conference to introduce the tourism potential of the province on Tuesday in Ha Noi.
Phong said the event will help Binh Duong approach people in the capital as well as travel companies.
“Binh Duong is the rendezvous of Sai Gon, Dong Nai and Be rivers creating spectacular landscapes and tourism products along those rivers,” said Phong.
“We are determined that developing river tours is a good strategy for the provincial tourism industry in the near future.”
“Binh Duong is an attractive destination for tourists to relax and enjoy ecological tours,” he said.
“The number of tourists to Binh Duong is increasing each year. The province received 4.55 million and 4.75 million of tourists in 2017 and 2018, respectively.”
Phung Quang Thang, vice chairman of the Ha Noi Tourism Association, said travel agents in Ha Noi and the northern region are willing to co-operate with partners in Binh Duong Province.
“This is the first time Binh Duong tourism has been promoted in Ha Noi, proving that the provincial authorities want to open the market to the north,” he said.
“To develop tourism, the province should connect with HCM City, Đồng Nai and Tây Ninh provinces to set up more river tours,” he said.
“People may know about Binh Duong Province as a hub of many industrial zones. Actually, Binh Duong has many famous pagodas like the Hoi Khanh Pagoda and Ba Thien Hau Temple and traditional festivals such as the boat race on Sài Gòn River.”
Binh Duong is also a destination for golfers with facilities at international championship standards, as well as the Phu My golf course, the Mekong golf course and the Harmony golf course.
Cheah Kuan Yean, general director of Becamex Hospitality, said the group will work with the province’s leaders to develop wellness tourism.
“We will develop the hotel system and shopping malls to serve tourists to Binh Duong Province because MICE and resort tourism are also rising trends in the region,” he said.
