The water fountain show at Sam Son Beach Square offers a captivating experience for tourists.
During holidays throughout the year, Thanh Hoa province consistently records a high increase in tourist numbers, especially at key tourist destinations such as Sam Son, Hai Tien, Bai Dong, and Pu Luong. The influx of visitors leads to bustling accommodation and sightseeing and entertainment activities. However, as night falls, the "tourism pace" slows down. Aside from the pedestrian streets operating during specific hours in the urban centers of Hac Thanh and Sam Son wards, and areas with concentrated food and beverage services or cultural and artistic programs, tourists have few other options for continuing their journey.
Sam Son beach is considered a "hot spot" for summer tourism, and changes in the organization of the tourist space are becoming more apparent. Pedestrian streets and water music shows in the beach square during peak season have contributed to attractive experiences for tourists. However, these activities are not maintained regularly throughout the year and do not form a distinctive experiential product. Therefore, after dinner, most tourists only stroll around a few streets before returning to their accommodation, ending their day of sightseeing quite early.
Chairman of the Sam Son Ward Tourism Association, Le Anh Tuan, commented: “Nighttime tourism products are not yet strong enough to ‘retain’ tourists and increase their spending. If there were more professionally organized programs such as nighttime tours of historical sites, live performance shows, or large -scale, stable food and shopping spaces, Sam Son tourism would certainly be much more attractive.”
According to some tourism experts, the development of nighttime tourism products at historical sites and scenic spots in several localities across the country is opening up new avenues, not only in coastal tourist cities. Nighttime tours combining light, sound, and historical storytelling in a modern format are gradually becoming a trend. With historical sites like Lam Kinh, Ho Dynasty Citadel, or Ba Trieu Temple, if properly researched and invested in, it is entirely possible to create products that are both rich in cultural value and attractive in terms of experience. Furthermore, Thanh Hoa province possesses many unique cultural elements that can "illuminate" the nighttime atmosphere. From folk songs and traditional performances to a rich culinary system, if reorganized in an experiential and interactive way, they can all become attractive products. A night market space combined with cultural performances, where tourists can enjoy local specialties, immerse themselves in folk art activities, or participate in traditional craft experiences... will offer a different feeling compared to other forms of entertainment.
Leveraging their existing potential and strengths, some destinations such as Pu Luong (Pu Luong commune), But village (Nam Xuan commune), Ong Huong Farm (Dong Tien ward)... have proactively renewed experiences by organizing campfire programs, cultural performances, and exchanges of local cuisine and culture. These activities have initially created a connection between tourists and the local community. However, most activities remain on a small scale, mainly organized within resorts and homestays, leading to a lack of linkage to form a chain of nighttime tourism products with widespread appeal.
From a tourist's perspective, the desire to experience the nightlife of a destination is becoming increasingly evident. Tourist Doan Cong Vinh from Lao Cai province shared: "We have been to Thanh Hoa many times, and this time we chose Hai Tien beach for our vacation. I am very impressed with the scenery and the resort atmosphere here, but there aren't many activities to participate in at night. If there were more folk art performances or larger-scale nighttime entertainment and shopping areas, we would definitely consider extending our vacation."
To develop nighttime tourism, spatial planning is a crucial first step. Areas with favorable conditions should be designated as nighttime activity centers, accompanied by investment in infrastructure such as transportation, lighting, parking, and ensuring security, order, and environmental hygiene. Simultaneously, mechanisms should be put in place to encourage businesses to invest in new, high-quality, and competitive products and services. More importantly, the development of the nighttime economy must be harmoniously integrated with community life. Factors such as noise, waste, and security must be well controlled to ensure that the living environment and cultural identity are not negatively impacted. Only with the consensus and participation of the people can nighttime tourism products develop sustainably.
From a practical standpoint, developing attractive nighttime itineraries is not only a solution to increase revenue, but also a necessary step to complete the tourism value chain. When experiences extend from day to night, each destination becomes more vibrant and appealing. This is also a way for Thanh Hoa tourism to gradually assert its unique identity and create a lasting impression on tourists.
Text and photos: Le Anh
Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/du-lich-can-mot-hanh-trinh-dem-hap-dan-287812.htm
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