Promoting the tourism potential of border areas in Binh Lieu.

With inherent potential and investment attention, the potential for border tourism in Binh Lieu is having conditions to develop strongly, especially when the bilateral border gate pair Hoanh Mo (Vietnam) - Dong Trung (China) comes into bustling operation.

After a period of investment and promotion, on June 25, 2024, Quang Ninh province (Vietnam) coordinated with Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (China) to organize the official announcement ceremony of the opening of the bilateral border gate pair Hoanh Mo (Vietnam) - Dong Trung (China), including the Bac Phong Sinh (Vietnam) - Ly Hoa (China) customs clearance. This opens up prospects and a strong development direction for tourism in Binh Lieu. "It can be said that this event not only strengthens the connection between the two sides but also opens up great opportunities and prospects for the district to promote and develop border tourism, promoting the inherent strengths of the locality" - Ms. To Thi Nga, Deputy Head of the Department of Culture - Sports of Binh Lieu district shared.

The official announcement of the opening of the Hoanh Mo (Vietnam) - Dong Trung (China) bilateral border gate pair opens up great prospects for the development of border tourism through this pair of border gates. **Photo: Manh Truong**

According to assessments, in the coming period, the bustling activity at the bilateral border crossings will mean that foreign relations and cross-border trade will be further strengthened. Economic and cultural exchanges will increase, with tourists from both sides traveling back and forth, exploring and potentially connecting to more inland tours and scenic spots. This will also be a driving force to diversify tourist sources and promote local tourism services and products. Simultaneously, Vietnamese tourists will have more options for border crossing tours and exit routes with specific itineraries.

Reportedly, both sides have been actively working towards realizing this policy. Binh Lieu has held talks and signed a memorandum of understanding mentioning the development of border tourism when conditions permit, provided that provincial-level agencies on both sides facilitate trade. The Quang Ninh Provincial Tourism Department and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region also signed a cooperation agreement on border tourism, emphasizing bringing tourists across the Hoanh Mo - Dong Trung border gate…

To promote and develop the wide-open border tourism potential, Binh Lieu has invested in relatively good tourism infrastructure, convenient transportation, bringing Binh Lieu closer to Ha Long and neighboring localities. The district has also invested in infrastructure with roads to the border, to landmarks...

Binh Lieu district is also actively preparing infrastructure and tour routes to promote border tourism potential.

The district has been completing tourism and regional planning, promoting investor attraction, including border tourism destinations in the Hoanh Mo and Dong Van areas. At the same time, the district has also advised and proposed the province to develop policies for community tourism and border tourism.

In addition, to serve the Chinese tourist market and other tourist markets, Binh Lieu also orients intra-regional tourist routes and destinations, connecting with other localities such as Hanoi, Mong Cai, Lang Son, destinations such as Ha Long, Bai Tu Long... to encourage new and attractive forest-sea-border tours such as: Hanoi - Ha Long Bay - Binh Lieu - Phong Thanh...

Furthermore, Binh Lieu has been promoting and developing many unique new products. These include community-based tourism products linked to the cultural and architectural values of ethnic minorities, experiencing life in villages, listening to traditional songs, participating in traditional games, exploring nature and biodiversity at advantageous locations (Khe Tien, Song Mooc, Cao Ly, Ngan Chi, flower gardens, etc.), and tourism along the majestic border. Alongside this is the development of new adventure tourism products (mountain climbing, trekking, bungee jumping, zipline, parachuting, etc.).

Binh Lieu actively builds and innovates products, connects localities inside and outside the province, and serves border tourism.

In reality, with its existing infrastructure and abundant tourism resources, Binh Lieu can quickly meet the needs of tourists for short-term visits through the Hoanh Mo border gate. However, in the long term, as border gate activity becomes busier and the number of tourists increases, Binh Lieu needs to focus on attracting investment in infrastructure, training human resources, and developing strong connections between local and inter-provincial tours.

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