High-quality tourism, green cities, and heritage values.

Ninh Binh is steadfastly pursuing its goal of becoming a centrally-governed city, a "millennium heritage city," where high-quality tourism, green urban development, and heritage values ​​become the driving forces.

Trang An - A World Heritage site linking conservation with sustainable tourism development.

The positive results of the tourism industry in recent years, along with the Provincial Planning for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, clearly demonstrate the political determination of the Ninh Binh Provincial Party Committee in making tourism a key economic sector, linked to heritage preservation and improving the quality of life for the people.

Sustainable tourism development

Resolution No. 07-NQ/TU dated October 29, 2021, of the Ninh Binh Provincial Party Committee identified tourism development as a key economic sector as a crucial strategic direction for the province, and a responsibility of the entire political system, all levels, sectors, and society as a whole. The resolution emphasizes the need for high-quality, sustainable tourism development oriented towards green growth, linked to the preservation and promotion of cultural and natural heritage values, making a significant contribution to socio-economic development and the formation of a modern economic structure.

In recent years, Ninh Binh's tourism industry has recovered rapidly and grown steadily, with both international and domestic tourists increasing, and tourism revenue gradually rising. However, according to the Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Tran Song Tung, it is impossible to look only at the number of tourists or revenue in the short term. Developing tourism is a long-term process, not something that can be achieved in one or two terms. The effectiveness may be evident step by step, year by year, but the core is sustainability, demonstrated by protecting nature, preserving heritage, and improving the quality of service in every stage of the service chain.

"If we sacrifice the environment, landscape, and heritage for short-term growth, the price to pay will be enormous. Therefore, the province is committed to developing tourism in conjunction with conservation, gradually raising the quality standards of services, from planning and infrastructure to human resources," emphasized Comrade Tran Song Tung.

From a management perspective, the Department of Tourism has identified that the focus for the next phase will no longer be on increasing the number of visitors, but rather on enhancing the added value per visitor, extending the length of stay, developing high-end, diverse, and culturally rich service products, and gradually participating in the high-spending tourism segment.

Resolution No. 07-NQ/TU identifies the development of green cities linked to heritage preservation as one of the breakthrough solutions for sustainable tourism development. Accordingly, urban, tourism, and transportation infrastructure projects must be placed within the overall context of landscape protection, with strict control over construction density, limited concrete construction, and preservation of green spaces and open areas around heritage sites and scenic spots.

According to Tran Song Tung, Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, developing green urban areas is not only about creating a modern urban landscape, but more importantly, about ensuring a healthy living environment, long-term benefits for the people, and preserving heritage spaces for future generations. The province is determined not to sacrifice the environment and heritage for mere economic growth.

From a business perspective, Mr. Tong Anh De, Vice President of the Vietnam Green Tourism Association and General Director of Ninh Binh Legend Hotel, believes that environmental protection and improving service quality are prerequisites for developing high-end tourism. The tastes and standards of tourists, especially international visitors, are increasingly high. Service establishments must constantly update trends, innovate management methods, improve service quality, and understand the culture of each target market. For example, tourists from France value meticulousness and sophistication; tourists from Italy prioritize punctuality; and tourists from Germany are particularly demanding about quality and accuracy. This understanding helps enhance the experience and retain tourists.

Preserving the soul of heritage, elevating cultural values.

Ninh Binh possesses unique advantages in terms of cultural and natural heritage, notably the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex – Vietnam's only mixed cultural and natural world heritage site, along with the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital complex, Bai Dinh Pagoda, Tam Coc-Bich Dong, and numerous traditional craft villages and festivals. Resolution No. 07-NQ/TU emphasizes the need to preserve and promote heritage values ​​in conjunction with tourism development, considering culture as the core of all strategies. Tourism should both exploit the landscape and tell the story of history, people, and local identity in a profound way.

The province's tourism industry is focusing on developing products associated with cultural, artistic, culinary, and traditional craft experiences, as well as community tourism and the application of digital technology in heritage interpretation, aiming to extend the length of stay and spread the benefits of tourism to the community.

Ninh Binh strives to become one of the leading tourism centers in the country and the region, prioritizing the development of high-quality tourism and building a tourism brand based on the outstanding global value of the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, and its unique cultural heritage system. This is a consistent direction, reflecting the long-term vision of the Provincial Party Committee, independent of any particular term.

Creating and promoting high-quality tourism services and building green cities linked to heritage is a long-term journey requiring strategic vision, perseverance, and strong political determination. When the provincial Party Committee's direction is concretized through comprehensive solutions, and the government, businesses, and people participate decisively, Ninh Binh has the foundation to gradually affirm its position as a heritage city rich in identity and sustainably developing within the modern context.

Text and photos: VAN LUA, DAO PHUONG

Source: https://nhandan.vn/du-lich-chat-luong-cao-do-thi-xanh-va-he-gia-tri-di-san-post937888.html