Heritage tourism in Quang Ninh

According to experts, the concept or type of economy is not entirely new to the world, with heritage and cultural tourism being the most concrete manifestation. Thus, with the policy of developing tourism as a key economic sector, Quang Ninh has been developing its heritage economy for over a decade.

To maximize the potential and advantages of the tourism industry, create unique tourism products, and link tourism development with the preservation and promotion of national cultural values ​​and identity, on May 24, 2013, the Quang Ninh Provincial Party Committee issued Resolution No. 07-NQ/TU "On the Development of Tourism in Quang Ninh Province in the period 2013 - 2020, with a vision to 2030," which identifies the development of tourism in the province as sustainable, professional, modern, efficient, and focused, so that tourism becomes a key economic sector; making an important contribution to implementing the three strategic breakthroughs associated with the growth model, restructuring the economy, and transforming the development method from "brown" to "green".

Cruise tour on Ha Long Bay.

Thanks to this, during the period 2015-2020, Quang Ninh 's economic growth rate remained high compared to the national average, reaching 10.8%. The size of the economy increased rapidly, reaching VND 220,298 billion in 2020, a 1.93-fold increase compared to 2015. State budget revenue over the five years (2015-2020) reached over VND 212,200 billion, a 29% increase compared to the 2011-2015 period, of which domestic revenue reached over VND 155,000 billion, an 88% increase compared to the 2011-2015 period, and import-export revenue reached over VND 57,200 billion, exceeding the central government's target by over 43%. The total number of tourists visiting Quang Ninh has continuously increased over the years. During the period 2015-2019, Quang Ninh welcomed 52.239 million visitors; of which international visitors accounted for 21.521 million.

Mr. Nguyen Trung Khanh, Director of the Vietnam National Tourism Administration, assessed: “A highlight in Quang Ninh's economic development during this period is the orientation and development of the service and tourism industry, which is increasingly becoming a key economic sector, contributing positively to socio-economic development and promoting economic restructuring. The synchronized and modern tourism infrastructure and technical facilities have created leverage for strong tourism development. In addition, the province has directed the strengthening of state management of tourism, from the construction, management, and implementation of tourism planning to inspection and supervision activities to ensure a healthy tourism business environment; and the training and development of tourism human resources has been enhanced.”

The Tien Cong Festival (Quang Yen Town) is a national intangible cultural heritage. Every year, the festival attracts a large number of locals and tourists. Photo: Minh Duc

Heritage economics involves exploiting cultural and natural heritage to create value, including activities such as cultural tourism, handicrafts, developing services related to heritage, and heritage preservation. Based on a unified perspective of promoting the values ​​of the festival system – one of the precious cultural resources for local socio-economic development – ​​Quang Ninh province has taken many practical actions to both preserve and restore traditional festivals while developing new cultural festivals with their own unique brands, creating distinctive cultural products that attract a large number of domestic and international tourists.

Resolution 17-NQ/TU dated October 30, 2023, of the Quang Ninh Provincial Party Committee, "On building and promoting the cultural values ​​and human strength of Quang Ninh to become an endogenous resource and driving force for rapid and sustainable development," identifies nature, culture, and people as the three pillars for sustainable development. Therefore, in recent years, Quang Ninh province has issued many policies and plans, allocating adequate resources commensurate with the province's budget revenue for cultural investment, totaling 4,759 billion VND for the period 2018-2022.

The province also emphasized the need to continue restoring and preserving traditional festivals; organizing cultural days and cultural-sports weeks for ethnic groups in the Northeast region; and preserving, promoting, and introducing traditional culture, distinctive architecture, and cultural spaces in the community life of ethnic minorities. In 2024, Quang Ninh province chose the theme for the year's work as "Improving the quality of economic growth; developing culture and people with rich Quang Ninh identity," continuing to mobilize the active and determined participation of Party committees, authorities, and the people in preserving, nurturing, and promoting cultural values.

Thanks to this, in 2024, Quang Ninh province achieved the target of welcoming over 19 million tourists, the highest number in its history. In 2025, the province aims to welcome 20 million tourists, including 4.5 million international visitors. In its orientation to become a national and international tourism center, Quang Ninh needs to continue promoting the exploitation of heritage economics in a way that combines conservation with development; so that development creates momentum and resources for the sustainable preservation and promotion of heritage values.

Dr. Hoang Dao Cuong, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, suggested: “To develop the heritage economy, Quang Ninh needs to focus on the quality of growth and the professionalism of human resources in the culture and tourism sectors, encouraging linkages between regions and localities in tourism development associated with green and sustainable development according to the motto 'putting the tourist experience at the center'."

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/du-lich-di-san-tai-quang-ninh-3338622.html