Soc Trang aims to make tourism a key economic sector.

According to the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Soc Trang, in 2023, over 2.9 million tourists visited Soc Trang; total revenue from tourism reached 1,550 billion VND, a 4.4% increase compared to 2022.

Mr. Tran Minh Ly, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Soc Trang, shared: Soc Trang has a coastline of 72km and three major river mouths – Tran De, Dinh An, and My Thanh – making it very favorable for developing waterway transportation. The province has five national highways connecting Soc Trang with other provinces and cities in and outside the region, facilitating tourism development. Furthermore, the province is a land that embodies the unique cultural characteristics of the Kinh, Khmer, and Hoa ethnic communities, reflected in its diverse system of temples, distinctive architecture, and characteristic cultural festivals.

It is known that spiritual tourism is a strength of Soc Trang province. Many typical tourist destinations have received attention and investment, being upgraded, expanded, and improved in terms of landscape, environmental hygiene, safety and order, and the quality of services for tourists.

To promote the development of the tourism industry, the province has implemented numerous plans and projects to facilitate the participation of people and businesses in the rapid and sustainable development of tourism. Simultaneously, it has supported individuals and businesses in the tourism sector in accessing preferential capital sources, gradually transforming tourism into a key economic sector and contributing to the restructuring of the local economy.

During the period 2016-2020, the province invested over 2,500 billion VND in the construction, renovation, and upgrading of numerous transportation infrastructure projects serving the public and tourism development; and invested in cultural, sports , and entertainment facilities to serve tourists. In addition, the province also exploited many projects to develop tourism products using socialized funding, recognized 4 tourist destinations, and created several tourism products.

In particular, in April 2022, the People's Committee of Soc Trang province approved the overall plan for tourism development in Soc Trang province for the period 2022-2025, with a vision to 2030, with a total estimated budget of 3,588.5 billion VND.

“The overall goal of the project is that by 2025, tourism in Soc Trang will become an important economic sector of the province, with clearly defined, distinctive, and competitive tourism products, and professional tourism activities. By 2030, tourism in Soc Trang will become a key economic sector of the province with a synchronized infrastructure system, diverse tourism products, strong brands and high competitiveness, contributing to economic restructuring, poverty reduction, job creation, increased budget revenue, and creating momentum to promote the development of other economic sectors,” Mr. Tran Minh Ly emphasized.

Ms. Le Hoang Yen, Director of the Soc Trang Provincial Tourism Promotion Information Center, said: In 2024, in addition to participating in tourism promotion and advertising activities both domestically and internationally, the center also advised on the implementation of the Soc Trang Provincial Tourism Brand Building Project, the Soc Trang Provincial Tourism Promotion and Advertising Strategy Project, and the Project to develop eco-tourism in the Melaleuca forest combined with cultural tourism at the Soc Trang Provincial Party Committee Base Area. Currently, the center is developing a research project on building a cultural and riverine festival tourism product with the unique identity of Soc Trang province, aiming to create a distinctive tourism product linked to the province's cultural and riverine tourism potential.

Along with strengthening the promotion and advertising of Soc Trang tourism at domestic and international tourism events, the province is also implementing a tourism development linkage program with Ho Chi Minh City and other provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta region, integrating modern tools into tourism promotion programs, stimulating domestic tourism demand, and providing consulting on brand building for key tourism areas and local tourism products. The effective implementation of these projects and programs will contribute to making tourism an important economic sector and, by 2030, a leading economic sector of the province.

Mr. Tran Minh Ly, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Soc Trang province, said: In 2024, the province will strive to implement Resolution No. 05/2020/NQ-HĐND, continue to survey and create conditions to support businesses, organizations, individuals, and households in accessing and participating in tourism activities.

At the same time, we acknowledge and incorporate the contributions and suggestions of delegates regarding tourism activities, closely coordinate with localities and units to promote the dissemination and implementation of the resolution on policies supporting tourism development in the province, and diversify tourism business models to suit development trends and requirements.

"With the efforts of the entire political system, especially tourism service businesses, tourist destinations, and community households, Soc Trang's tourism is gradually undergoing a strong transformation," - the Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Soc Trang province stated.

Source: https://kinhtedothi.vn/soc-trang-dua-du-lich-tro-thanh-nganh-kinh-te-mui-nhon.html