Quang Binh bolsters tourism promotion to ASEAN market

Quang Binh owns a great deal of potentials and advantages for tourism, and it needs more capacities and conditions to make a good use out of them.
A cave in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. (Photo: VNA)
A cave in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. (Photo: VNA)

New adaptation, new opportunity

Quang Binh’s goal is to develop its tourism to become a spearhead economic sector. It is also one of the four pillars of economic development, and a breakthrough to promote growth, socio-economic development, and economic restructuring, in association with public interests and sustainable development. The province aims to build and position the Quang Binh tourism brand in accordance with the province’s unique identity, such as: nature discovery, exploring caves, its culture and history, sports tourism, luxury resorts, etc. Positioning Quang Binh as one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Vietnam, as well as the center of adventure tourism in Asia. In which, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park becomes a national and international tourist center, with a system of modern and synchronous facilities, diverse and high-quality tourism products.

With the Government’s decision to fully re-open its borders for tourists and tourism services, and Vietnam’s high vaccine coverage rate, it is high time for Quang Binh’s tourism to recover and develop in the coming time.

According to the provincial Department of Tourism, in the first 6 months of 2022, the number of tourist arrivals to the province reached 549,442, an increase of 2% over the same period in 2021. In which, international visitors are estimated at 7,500 arrivals, up 138% over the same period in 2021, domestic tourists are estimated at 541,768 arrivals, up 1%.

In 2022, Quang Binh’s goal is to reach 2 million tourist arrivals, from of which domestic tourists reach 1.99 million and international visitors 10,000. Quang Binh’s tourist brand continues to maintain its position as one of the most searched and chosen destinations on Google (Google Search, Youtube), as well as booking sites, travel forums (TripAdvisor). Quang Binh was voted in the top 5 most attractive destinations in Vietnam; Phong Nha - Ke Bang continues to be one of the 10 most popular national parks in Asia and the world.

Indeed, Quang Binh’s tourism was soon to grasp “new adaptation in new opportunity”, which is the name of a recent conference hosted by the province itself. As soon as the Government, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism had a plan to open for tourism, Quang Binh was the first locality to welcome tourists with open arms after being heavily affected by the pandemic. In the first 3 months of the year, the province achieved a few positive results, in terms of economic recovery. Especially on the occasion of the Hung Kings' Anniversary, the province welcomed a large number of visitors, showing positive signs of tourism recovery.

However, in order to overcome remaining obstacles, and to quickly "adapt" to the new normal and grasp “new opportunities”, also, in the interest of developing Quang Binh’s tourism commensurate with its potential and making it a spearhead economic sector, Quang Binh determines that it needs more efforts of leaders at all levels, the tourism industry and synergy from businesses and the whole society.

Quang Binh has a great deal of potential and advantage for tourism, and it needs more capacities and conditions to make good use of them. With a close connection between Quang Binh to all regions of the country will resonate strength, helping to skyrocket its tourism. That is what Quang Binh needs to do, is doing and will do successfully, creating momentum for economic recovery and for a harmonious development with the whole country in the upcoming period.

Currently, Quang Binh has continued to create connections, create tours, provide more tourism services and products, forming a tourism chain. With the Central Vietnam Heritage Tour (from Quang Binh to Quang Nam), tourists now have multiple selections of tourism products in each province, and city according to different combos, such as 3 days, 5 days to 10 days, etc.

Besides, Quang Binh also cooperates with travel agencies in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to introduce and sell its tourism products. At the same time, the province coordinates with international partners in order to attract more tourists from Europe, America, and developing countries.

“Not many localities can do it like Quang Binh, after a short time, the province has proven itself as a unique and high-class international tourist destination. Quang Binh’s strong rise is based on great advantage in tourism resources and the breakthrough change in development thinking and approach: turning the "traditional" disadvantages into modern development advantages”.

Dr. Tran Dinh Thien, Former Director of the Central Institute for Economic Management

SEA Games 31: A golden opportunity

In the new opportunity, the 31st SEA Games is a good chance to promote Vietnam and Quang Binh’s tourism, and to introduce safe, friendly and attractive tourist destinations and products to a large number of people in Southeast Asia and through them to international friends, tourists all over the world.

Vietnam’s successful hosting of SEA Games 31 is really a boost for economic recovery and tourism development of both Vietnam and ASEAN. This is also a golden opportunity to promote the image, country and people of Vietnam, and also a “can’t-miss” shot for Quang Binh tourism to be more accessible to international friends, especially ASEAN tourists.

In order to promote Quang Binh tourism to domestic and international markets, especially to ASEAN countries, Quang Binh Department of Tourism has coordinated with agencies to deploy specialized media campaigns throughout the 31st SEA Games.

With the prominent message: Quang Binh is the premier destination in Asia, a natural, attractive and different destination, a must-visit site in Vietnam. Coming to Quang Binh, visitors can freely immerse themselves in nature, explore many magnificent landscapes in the “land of caves”, as well as the World Natural Heritage site, which is Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park. Quang Binh is also the destination of beach resort, high-class recreational sports tourism, and cultural and historical tourism.

At the 31st SEA Games, Quang Binh has presented a few special prizes to athletes, coaches and international reporters. In addition, tourism businesses in Quang Binh also have special incentive programs for athletes and coaches who won gold medals at SEA Games 31, with discounts ranging from 20% to 30%.

On this special occasion, Quang Binh has hosted a few live TV programs and shows on digital platforms to promote its tourism, as well as introduce Quang Binh as a natural, attractive and unique destination with specialized and diverse products to the ASEAN market and other key international tourist markets during the 31st SEA Games. The province has done a few key tasks, including: Tourism promotion at 2022 HCMC Tourism Festival, 2022 Hanoi Tourism Festival, and other digital platforms such as: Google, Facebook, Instagram, etc.

ASEAN is one of the most important markets for Vietnam’s tourism. In 2019, Vietnam received nearly 2.1 million arrivals from ASEAN countries, accounting for 11.6% of the total international tourists to Vietnam. According to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, in 2019, the largest source of tourists from ASEAN are Malaysia (accounting for 3.4% of total arrivals), Thailand (2.8%), Singapore (1.7%), and Cambodia (1.3%).

Quang Binh has great potential for tourism development, especially with the "specialties" of the Central regions such as: “sun, wind, river, sea, forest” and historical relics. Quang Binh also has other unique brands, including an extraordinary cave system, the hometown of General Vo Nguyen Giap. To create new tourism values, Quang Binh needs to diversify its tourism products, such as: adventure travel, ecotourism, resort tourism, MICE, cultural and spiritual tourism, and other new tourism products like sports, entertainment, shopping, or event tourism

Dr. Vo Tri Thanh, Director of the Institute for Brand and Competitive Strategy

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