Mr. Nguyen Tan Ban, Secretary of the Vung Tau Ward Party Committee (HCMC). PHOTO: NGUYEN LONG
+ Reporter: Sir, after merging the central wards, what are the outstanding strengths of the newly established Vung Tau ward in tourism development?
- Mr. Nguyen Tan Ban: Vung Tau Ward was officially established on July 1, 2025 on the basis of merging 7 central wards, a new administrative unit but carrying a special historical role and strategic stature. With a prime geographical location, diverse landscapes, rich tourism resources and synchronously invested infrastructure, Vung Tau Ward is also one of the localities developing tourism - services - festivals - culture - sports of Ho Chi Minh City and the whole Southeast region.
We have a rare comprehensive tourism ecosystem, including: sea - mountains - relics - cuisine - culture - sports. In particular, Bai Sau - Thuy Van is a key advantage, attracting millions of visitors each year. In particular, the Thuy Van park and beach project with a scale of more than 3.2km of coastline, over 19ha of park area; about 800 bathrooms - toilets, rest areas; 6 service stations, roof systems, trees, classified trash bins... has been tested and received positive feedback from people and tourists. It is expected that the entire project will be completed and put into operation in time for National Day September 2, 2025, opening up a modern, civilized, friendly and integrated tourism appearance.
Along with the strength of the sea, the ward also owns a system of relics - famous landscapes such as: Statue of Jesus with open arms, Thich Ca Buddha Temple, Bach Dinh, Thang Tam Communal House, Lighthouse, Hon Ba, Big Mountain - Small Mountain... This is the foundation for developing cultural - spiritual - trekking - urban green space tours.
Before merging with Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, Ba Ria - Vung Tau province (old) called for investment in tourism development such as: Vung Tau international passenger wharf; the cable car route Nui Lon - Nui Nho is also located in Vung Tau ward.
Bai Sau Beach, Vung Tau Ward at night. PHOTO: Contributor
+ With the available advantages, in 2025, the locality certainly has a plan to organize many tourism activities to attract tourists to Vung Tau, sir?
- Yes. We have proactively developed a plan to organize at least 18 major cultural - sports - tourism events in the last 6 months of 2025, including: Whale Festival, Night Food Festival, Kite Festival, International Sea Swimming Competition, coastal fashion show, street music festival... These events not only promote the image of the destination but also position the unique brand for Vung Tau ward - a vibrant, converging and different tourist city.
In addition, the tourism - service infrastructure system is also being invested heavily, such as the project to renovate Thuy Van street axis with the highlight being Thuy Van square designed by EGO Group (Italy); smart tourism operation center, marine park, art lighting system, 310 lights to illuminate Ke Bac tree; Trung Trac - Trung Nhi walking street project and Bai Truoc park area with a scale of more than 4.3 hectares, 310m long, will develop into a cultural - artistic - culinary - entertainment space serving the night economy, community tourism and international tourists... are also ready to welcome visitors.
Back Beach of Vung Tau during the day, seen from afar is the statue of Christ. PHOTO: Contributor
+ What is Vung Tau's upcoming orientation to effectively exploit these advantages?
- We aim to develop tourism spaces in clusters and by theme. Specifically, the locations of Bai Sau, Bai Truoc, Bai Dua, Bai Dau, Mui Nghinh Phong, Doi Con Heo... will be turned into check-in and camping spots, organizing sailing festivals, SUP, sea swimming, kite festivals, sand sculpture art, beach volleyball, teambuilding, Ocean Show fashion shows, folk cake festivals, gifts from the sea...
Exploiting the green space of Big Mountain - Small Mountain with trekking tours, geological surveys, mountain climbing competitions, lighthouse conquest cycling, artistic photography camps... Developing Bau Sen Lake into a center for organizing boat races and remote-controlled model ships.
Establish a cultural - culinary - book - music - folk game space on the Trung Trac - Trung Nhi - Quang Trung Park - Revolutionary Traditional House route; form a walking street combined with experiencing specialties, OCOP products, book carts - music carts on weekends...
Preserving and upgrading the Nghinh Ong Thang Tam festival into a unique national tourism product, recreating folk rituals, restoring the whale skeleton, developing a "Dinh Thang Tam - Hon Ba" origin tour...
Hotel in Vung Tau ward has robots serving customers. PHOTO: NGUYEN LONG
We also focus on digital tourism - green and smart technology: deploying digital maps, public wifi, QR payment, virtual tourism, tour and room booking platforms; cooperating with tourism technology startups.
At the same time, we are improving infrastructure, upgrading roads, lighting, signs, parking lots, and public sanitation systems. We are increasing inspections of accommodation facilities and spontaneous services, and operating a tourism hotline 088.880.3247 to receive feedback from tourists 24/7.
Our goal is not only to attract but also to retain tourists, extend their stay, increase spending, enhance their experience, contribute to the successful implementation of Resolution 24-NQ/TW of the Central Secretariat, and build Vung Tau into a leading unit in developing high-quality, international-class tourism, worthy of being the "tourism heart" of the city named after Uncle Ho.
+ Thank you for the conversation.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/phat-trien-du-lich-vung-tau-chat-luong-cao-dang-cap-quoc-te-185250714153001317.htm
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