Ba Ria-Vung Tau province’s tourism sector has prospered in the first 10 months of this year, recording impressive growth of visitors and revenue compared to the same period last year. The result has been due to efforts by the local administration and business community to boost economic growth.
The Statue of Jesus Christ in Vung Tau city (Photo: mia.vn)
Ba Ria-Vung Tau is a popular tourist destination about 3 hours from Ho Chi Minh City. It has 300 km of coastline with many fine beaches, scenic spots, and historical relic sites.
The Binh Chau Phuoc Buu Nature Reserve, which stretches along the coast has diverse flora and hot springs.
Con Dao National Park on Con Dao island is one of two national parks in Vietnam with both forest and marine protected areas. Dinh mountain and Minh Dam mountain are two popular tourist destinations.
To draw tourists following the COVID-19 pandemic, Ba Ria-Vung Tau province has hosted a number of events such as the Let's Charm Fest at Ho Tram Charm Resort and inaugurated a shopping mecca called Hamptons Plaza. Tourist agencies are offering new promotional programs to attract domestic and foreign tourists.
“This is the 5th time I’ve come here with my friends. There are many scenic spots. The service is good," said Nguyen Thu Huong, a visitor from from Binh Phuoc province.
A bird-eye view of Ba Ria-Vung Tau province (Photo: Nguyen Ngoc Lan/ vnexpress)
At the end of October, the provincial Department of Tourism conducted a survey of 60 destinations and craft villages, Director of Ba Ria-Vung Tau’s Department of Tourism Trinh Hang said: “We conducted a survey of all resources and the current state of local tourism. The result shows that we have developed a very small part of the local tourism potential. We will connect with other localities and train human resources to carry out development plans.”
Vo The My, Vice President of Ba Ria-Vung Tau’s Tourism Association, said: “Every year Ba Ria-Vung Tau receives between 14 and 16 million tourists. We should develop more attractive destinations to encourage tourists to stay longer. Tourists will come for new, unusual, and unique tourism products.”
In the first 10 months of 2022, Ba Ria-Vung Tau welcomed 11 million arrivals, 350% of the yearly target and 250% more than last year. Revenue from tourism totaled 450 million USD, up 94%.
The province has held tourism and trade fairs, welcomed foreign delegations to survey local services, and advertised its tourism on foreign media.
Tran Thi Thu Hien, Deputy Director of Ba Ria-Vung Tau’s Tourism Department, said it has helped businesses market their products on e-commerce platforms to reach more customers.
“We have applied digital technology to tourism development. If we don't use digital technology, we can’t go beyond the province’s borders,” said Mrs. Hien.
Ba Ria-Vung Tau has promoted tourism links with other provinces and cities, including Can Tho, Da Nang, Hanoi, Dak Lak, Binh Dinh, Khanh Hoa, Kien Giang, and Binh Thuan.
Tourism is a general economic sector that plays an important role in Ba Ria-Vung Tau’s economic development structure. The province’s draft Resolution on socio-economic development and national defense and security next year sets the targets that accommodation revenue will increase 11.9% and travel revenue at 12.5% compared to this year.
With its potential and innovation in tourism, the hospitality industry of Ba Ria - Vung Tau province will continue to recover strongly, playing an important role in the local economic development.
