Ninh Binh diversifies cultural tourism products to attract visitors

Hoa Lu Ancient Town has recently become the choice of many tourists when coming to Ninh Binh. Many visitors even choose to stay so that they can visit in the evening and enjoy many cultural activities in the ancient town, especially on weekends.

Ms. Antoinette, a French tourist, shared: Visiting the old town, although not large, I found it very interesting. It was a comfortable feeling to sit on a boat with the gentle sound of oars on the lake, listening to melodious music under the cool autumn wind of Vietnam's weather. Then we watched the lion dance, danced with bamboo poles, played jump rope... We had very unique experiences when coming to Ninh Binh. When I have the chance, I will come back to this place and of course, I will introduce this beautiful and lovely land to my relatives and friends.

Mr. Tran Van Nhon, a tourist from Tien Giang province, shared: After 5 years of returning to visit Ninh Binh, I was really surprised by the changes here. The highlight is the landscape of tourist areas and spots that have been exploited and put into operation in a systematic, environmentally friendly manner, aiming for green tourism. Many types of cultural tourism have been invested in. I believe that, with this positive approach, Ninh Binh tourism will increasingly develop and gradually gain a high position among the top provinces and cities in the country in developing the smokeless economy.

Hoa Lu Ancient Town was inspired by the traditional culture of Dai Viet in the 10th century, recreating and restoring the beauty of ancient architecture and culture. The project was completed in stages and put into operation from the beginning of 2022. In recent times, Hoa Lu Ancient Town has been a highlight attracting not only people in the province but also tourists when visiting Ninh Binh.

Cultural and artistic activities often take place here at night with many entertainment activities, cultural and artistic performances that attract people from all walks of life, such as: Music performances on Ky Lan Lake; lion dance, dragon dance; bamboo dancing, rope jumping; playing hopscotch, playing hopscotch... Along with that are hundreds of boats decorated with colorful lanterns, helping visitors to enjoy the shimmering and magical river at night, attracting not only domestic tourists but also creating excitement for many international visitors to visit.

Ninh Binh diversifies cultural tourism products to attract visitors — Music performance at Ky Lan Lake, Hoa Lu Ancient Town.

In addition to cultural activities, Hoa Lu Ancient Town is also divided into product introduction areas and culinary areas. There are many booths displaying traditional handicraft products of recognized craft villages in the province. Such as Bo Bat pottery products (Yen Mo district); Van Lam embroidery products, Ninh Van stone craft village (Hoa Lu district); Phuc Loc carpentry village products (Ninh Binh city)...

In addition, many famous traditional products of craft villages in provinces and cities in the country are also displayed here, such as Van Phuc silk, Ha Dong (Hanoi); bronze casting and lacquer craft villages of Y Yen (Nam Dinh); products of Dong Ho folk painting village (Bac Ninh)...

In particular, here, visitors can enjoy delicious specialties from many regions of the country. Such as ice cream, Hue and Da Nang sweet soup; traditional cakes such as rice paper, fried cakes, sticky rice cakes, honey cakes, shrimp cakes... are displayed and decorated eye-catchingly in traditional stalls, recreating the cultural and social life of ancient times, serving the needs of many people, being able to leisurely enjoy delicious food while listening to music, watching the clouds, mountains and rivers...

Mr. Tran Van Truong, Hoa Lu Ancient Town Management Board (Ninh Binh city) said: Although it has only been in operation for a short time, Hoa Lu Ancient Town has received many compliments from domestic and foreign tourists.

To attract tourists to visit and use services in the evening, the unit has organized many traditional art programs such as Cheo singing, Xam singing, Chau Van singing, instrumental music concerts... or folk games with themes each week, each month, thereby creating newness and diversity for tourists. Therefore, visitors coming here, especially in the evening, can fully feel the values, space of mountains, rivers, beautiful scenery symbolizing the land and people of Ninh Binh. Since its operation, Hoa Lu Ancient Town has attracted millions of visitors to visit and experience.

In Ninh Binh province, there are currently many activities, attractions, and nighttime entertainment to attract tourists to experience. Such as the night wildlife tour in Cuc Phuong (Nho Quan district); "Heritage bus" to see Ninh Binh city at night; before that, the tour to explore Bai Dinh pagoda at night..., creating interesting and attractive activities and experiences for tourists.

The orientation of Ninh Binh province is to continue to develop diverse and rich entertainment products, while exploiting cultural values in developing night-time tourism economy, gradually improving the current weakness of tourism which is going and arriving during the day, prolonging the length of stay of tourists.

The Resolution of the 22nd Congress of the Ninh Binh Provincial Party Committee for the 2020-2025 term continues to identify and develop Ninh Binh into a tourism center of the region and the whole country, aiming to make tourism a spearhead economic sector of the province. The goal by 2025 is that Ninh Binh will attract 8 million tourists, with total tourism revenue reaching over VND 8,000 billion, contributing about 6.5% of GRDP, creating jobs for 23,000 workers or more.

By 2030, attracting 12 million visitors, including 2 million international visitors, total tourism revenue reaching 18,660 billion VND, contributing about 8% of GRDP, creating jobs for 43,700 workers.

To achieve the set goals, Ninh Binh province has specific orientations in tourism development. For eco-tourism, focusing on famous tourist areas and destinations with many potentials that have been exploited, such as Trang An Eco-tourism Area, Van Long Wetland Reserve, Cuc Phuong National Park... For cultural tourism, focusing on tourist destinations such as Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Historical and Cultural Relic Site, Bai Dinh Pagoda Spiritual Tourism Area...

In addition, the province is gradually forming and developing new types of tourism, such as resort tourism; sports tourism such as golf, mountain climbing; tourism combined with conferences and seminars; experiential tourism in craft villages, comprehensive economic development models, etc. The goal is to increasingly attract and receive satisfaction from a variety of tourists, bringing in a source of revenue accounting for a large proportion of the province's total revenue, while creating jobs and stable income for local workers.

Article and photos: Huy Hoang

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