Leveraging strengths to enhance the locality's position in foreign affairs.

At the ceremony commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex being inscribed by UNESCO as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage site, Ms. Simona Mirela Miculescu, President of the 42nd UNESCO General Assembly, stated: In an era of rapid global change, when social shifts and differing interests often leave us feeling lost, collaborative efforts to protect Trang An serve as a bridge, fostering dialogue and understanding between communities and people worldwide.

The conservation, management, and promotion of the global values of the World Heritage site have been implemented in Ninh Binh in a comprehensive and systematic manner, in accordance with UNESCO's recommendations. The Director-General of UNESCO assessed Trang An as a model example worldwide for promoting the global values of a World Heritage site, harmoniously combining environmental preservation, conservation of traditional cultural values with tourism development, ensuring benefits for the people, businesses, and the State.

Leveraging strengths to enhance the locality's position in foreign affairs. — Numerous international scientific conferences held in Ninh Binh affirm the province's role and position in foreign affairs. Photo: Anh Tuan

The above assessments and comments from experts show that Ninh Binh has successfully leveraged its local strengths to enhance its position, image, and people in foreign relations, especially cultural diplomacy. It also demonstrates that foreign relations in Ninh Binh play a crucial role in attracting resources for development and contributing to promoting the image of the homeland and the country to international friends. Therefore, strengthening foreign relations is a task facing each locality and unit, aiming to enhance the province's prestige and position in the context of deep integration today.

Based on the guidance and direction of the Central Government, Ninh Binh province has issued numerous directives and regulations to uniformly and strictly manage foreign affairs activities in the area. Particularly through cultural and tourism activities, Ninh Binh has affirmed its position on the international stage, especially in the areas of international cooperation on preserving and exploiting the potential, strengths, and cultural resources for tourism development. At the same time, the province is gradually building its cultural industry, and cultural diplomacy is being actively promoted by all levels and sectors of the province.

In particular, our province has organized many important events, promoting the image of Ninh Binh's natural beauty, cultural values, history, and distinctive traditions to a wide audience of friends both domestically and internationally. A highlight was the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex being recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site. Furthermore, the electronic information portal (www.vhtt.ninhbinh.gov.vn) promptly provides information, introduces, and promotes outstanding activities and events in the fields of culture, sports, politics, economics, socio-cultural affairs, and education of the province; publicizes the potential and strengths in economic development, preserves national cultural identity, attracts investment, and develops culture and sports; and introduces the people and land of Ninh Binh to friends both domestically and internationally.

With a focus on green and sustainable tourism development, Ninh Binh province has become a bright spot on the Vietnamese tourism map (ranked among the top 15 destinations and 10 provinces with the highest number of visitors nationwide). It has been recognized and voted by many prestigious international travel websites as an attractive, hospitable, and most beloved tourist destination, such as: Forbes magazine (USA) selected it as one of the 23 best travel destinations in 2024; it is one of the 10 friendliest destinations in the world at the Traveller Review Awards 2024 by Booking.com; The Travel Canada newspaper selected it as one of the top 10 most beautiful destinations in Vietnam; and Cuc Phuong National Park has been selected and honored as the leading national park in Asia for four consecutive years by the World Travel Awards.

Through cultural diplomacy activities, Ninh Binh province has gradually elevated its status, while investment and export promotion activities have also expanded. Investment promotion activities have been effectively implemented by relevant agencies, achieving many positive results. In the first six months of 2024, the Provincial People's Committee granted investment registration certificates to 4 FDI projects with a total registered investment capital of US$31.39 million, mainly from South Korea and Hong Kong; investing in the fields of electronic component manufacturing, automotive supporting industries, etc.

Exports remained a bright spot in the economic picture during the first six months of 2024, with total export turnover estimated at US$1,661.2 million, an increase of 10.2% compared to the same period last year, reaching 51.1% of the annual plan. Some items with high export value include: cement and clinker, estimated at US$290 million; clothing, estimated at US$150.6 million; cameras and phone components, estimated at US$406.1 million; other footwear, estimated at US$475.3 million; and automobiles and auto parts, estimated at US$90 million.

Furthermore, with its potential, advantages, and reputation, Ninh Binh has attracted diverse sources of investment capital over the years. Currently, the provincial authorities are managing and monitoring the implementation of 4 projects using ODA and preferential loans with a total investment of VND 1,673,796 million (including VND 1,433,351 million in ODA and preferential loans and VND 240,445 million in counterpart funds). To date, 3 projects have been completed and handed over for use. The projects are being implemented well, complying with international and Vietnamese regulations, building credibility and close relationships with donors. Ninh Binh province is also committed to managing official development assistance (ODA) and preferential loans strictly and effectively in accordance with the requirements of investors.

To make diplomacy a bridge to expand opportunities for socio-economic development, in the coming time, Ninh Binh will strengthen and expand relations with foreign provinces and cities, foreign organizations and international organizations; especially with provinces and cities that have officially established sister city relationships, in order to enhance cooperation, exchange, and sharing of experiences in politics, economics, culture, and society at the local level.

Strengthening investment promotion, trade, tourism, and cultural, artistic, and sports activities with foreign elements aims to enhance friendly exchanges, promote traditional cultural values, and showcase the land and people of Ninh Binh. Supporting businesses in investing, expanding export markets, and cooperating with foreign partners, leveraging the advantages of free trade agreements that Vietnam has joined. Proactively developing programs and projects to attract investment from ODA and FDI sources, and seeking funding from foreign non-governmental organizations, contributing to poverty reduction and improving the quality of life for the province's people.

Nguyen Thom

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