'Unleashing' the potential of railway tourism.

Speaking at the workshop "Linking the development of tourism products in Binh Dinh and connecting railway tourism products between Da Nang and Khanh Hoa," held on March 31st, Ms. Do Thi Dieu Hanh, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Binh Dinh province, stated that the railway is not just a means of transportation, but also a unique experience.

“Railway tourism allows visitors to explore the natural beauty, culture, and history of different regions in a slow, relaxed, and emotional way. This type of tourism is very suitable for many tourists, especially international visitors,” Ms. Hanh said.

The Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Binh Dinh province also acknowledged that, in order to more effectively exploit this tourism product, close coordination is needed between the railway industry, travel agencies, tourist destinations, and state management agencies.

"We need to develop attractive tourism products that combine railway transportation with diverse experiential services such as resorts, cultural exploration, and local cuisine ," the Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Binh Dinh province expressed his wish.

Meanwhile, according to Mr. Ha Trong Thang, Deputy General Director of the Vietnam Railway Transport Joint Stock Company, the North-South railway line passes through many provinces and cities with famous scenic spots, which is a great advantage for developing inter-regional tourism products. Connecting Binh Dinh, Da Nang, and Khanh Hoa by rail will create an attractive and diverse travel itinerary, meeting the needs of many customer groups.

In Binh Dinh province, the 10km Quy Nhon – Dieu Tri railway line is a branch line that currently only operates one pair of passenger trains daily, SE29 and SE30 (Saigon – Quy Nhon). Therefore, there is surplus train capacity, making it very suitable for operating tourist trains.

Mr. Ha Trong Thang suggested that Binh Dinh province and travel agencies study the option of organizing 2-3 pairs of tourist boats daily between Quy Nhon and Dieu Tri, with stops along the way where the boats slow down and stop for passengers to check in and take photos.

Regarding the long-term solution, the Vietnam Railway Transport Joint Stock Company is ready to provide carriages currently in use on the national railway line so that travel agencies can design and renovate the interiors to suit the needs of tourists and the direction of tourism businesses.

“We have a preferential policy with the Binh Dinh Provincial Tourism Association to develop all-inclusive tours combining train travel with beach and cultural tourism. We are ready to collaborate with travel agencies to improve the quality of train carriages, professional onboard services, entertainment spaces, and amenities. We will develop specialized tourist trains with luxurious interior designs reflecting the unique culture of Binh Dinh,” Mr. Ha Trong Thang affirmed.

At the workshop, the Binh Dinh provincial tourism sector presented a wealth of information about the province's potential, products, and tourism stimulus policies. Simultaneously, delegates and tourism and travel businesses shared many ideas and suggestions to further promote the linkage and development of Binh Dinh tourism with other localities, especially railway tourism.

Source: https://vr.com.vn/tin-tuc--su-kien/binh-dinh-%E2%80%98danh-thuc%E2%80%99-tiem-nang-du-lich-duong-sat.html