Ninh Binh is ready to welcome a "wave" of international visitors.

To prepare for the "golden season" of welcoming international visitors, Ninh Binh tourism industry is focusing on preparing conditions to welcome visitors from all over the world. With the advantages of nature, heritage and innovative efforts, Ninh Binh is getting closer to the goal of welcoming more than 2 million international visitors in 2025, affirming its position as a civilized and attractive destination on the world tourism map.

Tam Coc tourist area focuses on landscape care to attract tourists.

Diverse products, enhanced experience

These days, the Ngo Dong River is covered in a gentle purple color of lotus flowers, creating a poetic and impressive scene. This is one of the unique tourism products that Tam Coc Tourist Area has put into operation in recent years to build the image of "Tam Coc four seasons", contributing to increasing the experience and attracting tourists, especially international tourists, in the last months of the year.

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc, representative of Tam Coc Bich Dong Tourist Area Management Board, after a period of exploitation, the lotus river has received love and positive effects from tourists. In order for tourists to fully experience the natural beauty, this year, the Management Board has arranged wooden bridges and pontoon bridges for tourists to freely check-in and take photos in the middle of the lotus field.

In addition, to welcome the wave of international visitors to Ninh Binh during the peak months of the year, this tourist area has completed many infrastructure and service items to improve service quality such as dividing ticket checking areas for individual guests and group guests; putting into operation products and package tours such as: Tam Coc - Thai Vi Temple - Bich Dong Pagoda - experiencing Van Lam embroidery; Tam Coc Trang An tour; cycling tour to explore the countryside;...

“We have focused on renovating the boat dock and streamlining waterway traffic to ensure safety for tourists. At the same time, the entire boat crew has been trained in communication skills, civilized behavior, and basic tour guiding in English. In 2024, Tam Coc welcomed nearly 600,000 visitors, of which 70% were international visitors. With the current growth rate, in 2025 we aim to welcome 1 million visitors; including many tours from Europe, Korea, and Australia,” said Ms. Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc.

As one of the pioneers in developing community tourism in Nam Dinh province (old), Ecohost Hai Hau has been affirming its brand and becoming a high-quality destination loved by many international tourists. The highlight of this model is to bring visitors the most authentic and closest experiences about nature, culture, customs and beliefs of local people and land, contributing to prolonging the length of stay of visitors.

Ms. Hoang Thuy, Ecohost System Coordinator, said: With the advantage of an accommodation area attached to a garden and fish pond, Ecohost Hai Hau is aiming for the criteria of "green and absolutely safe for tourists". The unit has planted additional plants with natural insect repellent properties, completely replacing chemical measures, ensuring a fresh and friendly space.

Foreign tourists enjoy water puppetry at Hong Quang ward.

Not only investing in landscape, Ecohost Hai Hau also focuses on training local human resources, the core factor determining the quality of tourism services. Regular training sessions are organized for tour guides, accommodation owners and households participating in welcoming guests. The content focuses on communication skills, service procedures, and awareness of sustainable tourism, helping each person become a "cultural ambassador" of the land.

According to Ecohost statistics, the unit welcomes about 1,500 visitors each year, most of whom are international visitors from France, Spain and Italy. In recent years, the number of visitors has increased steadily thanks to diversified products and the spread of green, responsible tourism. Ecohost is targeting the English-speaking market, a group of customers with great potential and especially interested in sustainable tourism, cultural and natural experiences.

“In the coming time, Ecohost will continue to expand the network of Ecohost-standard accommodation facilities in the locality. This is to increase the number of accommodation rooms to meet the needs of large-scale international groups. In addition, we will continue to improve the quality of experiential services such as cycling through the countryside, learning about the history of Catholic missionary work in Vietnam; experiencing silver carving, mat weaving, salt making, water puppetry; enjoying local cuisine, etc. At the same time, we will survey and build new tourist routes connecting traditional craft villages to form specialized and exclusive tourism products for international travel partners,” Ms. Hoang Thuy added.

Accelerate connectivity and promote global destinations

Not only are tourist areas and destinations actively preparing, international travel businesses are also showing special interest in Ninh Binh. Mr. Nguyen Tien, Head of Operations, Hi Viet Nam Travel Company, commented: "After merging 03 provinces (Ha Nam, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh) into Ninh Binh province, we see a great opportunity to build regional tours with experiences and cultural depth".

According to Mr. Nguyen Tien, Ninh Binh's outstanding strength is the diversity of tourism products in a concentrated space, with both international heritage and unique craft villages, countryside, spiritual culture and cuisine. "European tourists love cycling through the fields, learning about local people's lives, staying at homestays and participating in experiential activities with the locals. These are the products that make Ninh Binh different and memorable in the eyes of international friends."

Foreign tourists enjoy experiencing the craft of making Western trumpets in Hai Anh commune.

Hi Viet Nam Travel representative also said that in recent surveys of the unit, Ninh Binh is always in the top of the most favorite destinations in the North for international visitors. Since the beginning of the year, on average, the unit has brought nearly 1,000 international visitors to Ninh Binh each quarter. Currently, this enterprise is cooperating with foreign partners such as Korea and the Philippines to expand tours for international visitors to Ninh Binh.

Along with the initiative of businesses and destinations, Ninh Binh tourism industry is also accelerating its preparations to welcome the "wave" of international visitors in the last months of the year. One of the key activities is the organization of an international famtrip program organized by the Vietnam Tourism Association in coordination with the Ninh Binh Tourism Association in mid-October, with the participation of nearly 50 travel agencies from Korea and the Philippines.

The famtrip group surveyed many prominent routes such as: golf course system; Trang An scenic complex and some cultural, historical sites, craft villages in Hai Anh commune, some accommodation facilities, restaurants, etc. Mr. Hoang Binh Minh, Vice President of Ninh Binh Tourism Association, said: "This famtrip activity is very important, not only helping to promote the image of Ninh Binh tourism to international markets but also opening up opportunities for direct cooperation between local businesses and foreign travel agencies. This is a practical step for Ninh Binh to be more proactive in its strategy to attract international visitors."

According to Mr. Hoang Binh Minh, Ninh Binh Tourism Association has been closely coordinating with travel agencies, accommodation establishments and local authorities to complete a closed service chain, from experience products, infrastructure to welcome guests, human resources, to communication and promotion activities. “Ninh Binh is strongly shifting to developing sustainable, environmentally friendly tourism, focusing on cultural and experience factors. This is the direction that helps us retain international visitors longer and increase their ability to return,” Mr. Hoang Binh Minh emphasized.

From October this year to March next year is considered the "golden season" to welcome international visitors in Ninh Binh as well as in Vietnam. In the past 9 months, Ninh Binh welcomed nearly 17 million visitors, including 1.6 million international visitors, with total revenue reaching nearly 18,000 billion VND. With the proactive and thoughtful preparation of the tourism industry, Ninh Binh is approaching the goal of welcoming more than 2 million international visitors in 2025, contributing to the country's successful achievement of the goal of welcoming 25 million international visitors this year.

Article and photos: Minh Hai

Source: https://baoninhbinh.org.vn/ninh-binh-san-sang-don-lan-song-khach-quoc-te-251021053454335.html