Recognizing tourism as a key economic sector of the town, with beach tourism being one of its strongest tourism products, Nghi Son town has prioritized resources for tourism development, striving to build the town into the southernmost industrial and tourism city of Thanh Hoa province.
"The Jade Mountain's beauty will last for millennia."
Historically, the name Ngoc Son district (now Nghi Son town) was given by King Le Thanh Tong in the 15th century, and there is a saying praising it: "Ngoc Son's beauty is concentrated with origins dating back thousands of years."
Throughout history, the name and boundaries of Nghi Son town have undergone many changes. During the Han dynasty, Nghi Son belonged to the southeastern part of Cu Phong district in Cuu Chan prefecture. During the Three Kingdoms period, Nghi Son was part of Thuong Lac district, and during the Sui and Tang dynasties, it was An Thuan district. After Vietnam gained independence in the 10th century, through the Ngo, Dinh, Early Le, and Ly dynasties, the place names of Nghi Son remained unchanged. During the Tran and Ho dynasties (13th-14th centuries), Nghi Son was Co Chien district. During the Ming dynasty, it was renamed Co Binh, also known as Ket Thue district, belonging to Cuu Chan province, under Thanh Hoa prefecture.
Nghi Son town viewed from above.
In the 10th year of Quang Thuan (1469) during the reign of King Le Thanh Tong, the district was named Ngoc Son, administered by Tinh Ninh prefecture. From then until the beginning of the Nguyen dynasty, it retained the name Ngoc Son district. In the 19th year of Minh Menh (1838), along with the renaming of several districts such as Thuy Nguyen to Thieu Hoa and Loi Duong to Tho Xuan, the districts of Ngoc Son, Nong Cong, and Quang Xuong were merged to form Tinh Gia prefecture. After the August Revolution of 1945, the land of Ngoc Son district became Tinh Gia district. On April 22, 2020, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly issued Resolution No. 933/NQ-UBTVQH14 establishing Nghi Son town and its wards in Thanh Hoa province, marking a historical turning point for the southernmost region of Thanh Hoa province.
"Nghi Son - Potential and Strengths for Tourism Development"
Recognizing tourism as a key economic sector of the town, with beach tourism being one of its strengths, the town has prioritized resources for tourism development. According to Decision No. 153/QD-TTg dated February 27, 2023, of the Prime Minister on the Thanh Hoa province planning for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2045, beach tourism development focuses on coastal areas, with a focus on the Sam Son beach tourism city, the Hai Tien tourist area (Hoang Hoa), the coastal tourist area of Quang Xuong district and Nghi Son town; and developing tourism products exploring the sea and islands in the Hon Ne and Hon Me areas (Nghi Son)...
Hoang Quoc Cong Dao Duy Tu Festival 2023.
Nghi Son town has been focusing on promoting and attracting businesses to invest in tourism projects in the area, typical examples being the Tan Dan, Hai Linh, Ninh Hai, Hai Ninh, and Binh Minh coastal ecological tourism areas, the Hao Hao Lake - Am Cac Pagoda ecological tourism area, the Hoang Quoc Cong Dao Duy Tu temple, the Quang Trung - Lach Bang historical site complex, the Bien Son scenic complex, and the Truong Lam cave complex.
Nghi Son town has identified tourism development as being linked to the preservation and promotion of cultural and ethnic values; maintaining the landscape, protecting the environment; ensuring national defense and security, and social order and safety, with three main types: beach tourism, community-based ecotourism, and cultural and spiritual tourism. 
The Me Island eco-tourism project will be implemented, awakening the "ancient beauty of Ngoc Son."
Dong Beach tourist destination, in Nghi Son island commune.
In addition, the town has focused on developing a comprehensive tourism development plan, which includes expanding the Hai Hoa tourist area plan in conjunction with coastal communes and wards, connecting with Me Island and clusters of historical and cultural relics and scenic spots such as Dot Tien Pagoda, Quang Trung Temple, Lach Bang Temple, Khanh Temple, Am Cac Pagoda... and ecological tourism routes such as Truong Lam, Phu Son, Yen My Lake, and Hao Hao Lake.
A traditional rice-cooking competition is held at the beginning of the year in Hai Nhan commune.
Within the town, there are 20 festivals of varying sizes held annually, notably the Quang Trung Festival, the Fishing Festival, and the rice-cooking competition, which are festivals associated with coastal fishermen and possess unique and attractive values for tourists.
With its exceptional values, on April 9, 2024, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued Decision No. 955/QD-BVHTTDL announcing the List of National Intangible Cultural Heritage, according to which the traditional Quang Trung Temple Festival in Lach Bang and Cu Lao Bien (Bien Son), Hai Thanh ward and Nghi Son commune (Nghi Son town) was included in the List of National Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The Quang Trung Festival in Hai Thanh ward.
Nghi Son is home to many traditional craft villages, most notably the seafood harvesting and processing industry. Many seafood products, both caught and farmed, as well as processed products such as shrimp, fish, squid, various types of fish sauce, shrimp paste, and fermented fish paste, have become indispensable souvenirs for tourists visiting Nghi Son town, creating many unique specialties available in markets throughout the country.
"Nghi Son, the pearl of the sea - Aspiration to reach further"
In 2023, Nghi Son town's tourism products established a prominent brand both within and outside the province, becoming large-scale and competitive tourism products, exemplified by the Hai Hoa, Bai Dong, and Anh Phat beach resorts. The number of tourists reached 1,204,000, exceeding the provincial target by 0.3%; total tourism revenue reached 2,300 billion VND, exceeding the provincial target by 0.4%.
The Anh Phat Hotel & Resort complex is equipped with modern facilities and amenities, contributing to improving the quality of service for tourists in Nghi Son.
To contribute to the successful achievement of Thanh Hoa's tourism goals, in 2024 Nghi Son town is strengthening state management of tourism, focusing on investing in infrastructure at tourist areas and attractions; ensuring security, safety, and quality of tourism services for visitors, and building an image of Nghi Son as a safe, friendly, and attractive tourist destination. The town aims to welcome over 1.2 million visitors, with total tourism revenue exceeding 2,300 billion VND in 2024; have 115 accommodation establishments, of which 10% are rated 2-4 stars, and 75% of tourism service workers have received professional training.
According to the plan, the opening ceremony of the Nghi Son Beach Tourism Festival 2024 will take place at 8 PM on April 26, 2024, at the beach square of the Hai Hoa beach resort and will be broadcast live on Thanh Hoa Provincial Radio and Television, and widely publicized through mass media.
The art program, themed "Nghi Son - The Pearl of the Sea - Aspiration for Further Development," promotes Nghi Son town as a safe, friendly, and attractive tourist destination, aiming to create a highlight that attracts tourists and investors to Nghi Son town and the Nghi Son Economic Zone, befitting its status as the southernmost industrial and tourism city of Thanh Hoa province.
Panoramic view of Hai Hoa Beach Resort.
Hai Hoa beach resort at night.
A new feature of the Nghi Son Beach Tourism Festival 2024 is the organization of an exhibition space showcasing OCOP products with 50 booths from businesses and households in the town and some localities inside and outside the province.
In addition, cultural activities and traditional folk games will be organized to serve the people and tourists, such as performances of rice cooking competitions, the "Gia Hau Co Be Thuong Ngan" performance - a performance that won the A prize at the 20th Thanh Hoa Ethnic Culture Festival in 2024, and the men's open leather volleyball tournament.
Exhibition and introduction of OCOP products from Nghi Son town at the Thanh Hoa province-Northwest tourism development cooperation program, held in Son La province in November 2023.
In 2024, tourism activities were organized in a diverse and rich manner, reflecting the unique cultural identity of the ethnic groups and the Nghi Son region, creating highlights that attracted tourists.
Visiting Nghi Son town is a journey of experience and discovery for tourists, with many attractive options such as beach tourism, community-based ecotourism, and cultural and spiritual tourism.
Mai Sỹ Lân, Member of the Standing Committee of the Town Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Nghi Son Town
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