Vinh Phuc: Effectively promoting the tourism potential of the land of "spiritual land and talented people"

In recent years, Vinh Phuc tourism industry has made many breakthroughs, attracting a large number of tourists to the locality. However, in addition to tourism promotion programs, there are opinions that the locality needs a comprehensive planning strategy to develop tourism, making the most of the potential position of the land rich in cultural identity, "geomancy and talented people".

Tay Thien and Tam Dao scenic areas with their beautiful, majestic landscapes are famous destinations attracting domestic tourists to Vinh Phuc.

Strengths of a land with great potential In recent years, the number of tourists to Vinh Phuc has increased rapidly, the average growth in the number of visitors in the period 2015 - 2019 was 15%/year. In 2022 alone, the number of tourists will reach more than 8.2 million, an increase of 400% compared to 2021 and an increase of 2.5% compared to the annual plan, (including 73,500 international visitors), tourism revenue will reach more than 3,280 billion VND, an increase of 200% compared to 2021 and an increase of 31% compared to the annual plan. In Vinh Phuc, there are more than 1,300 historical and cultural relics, of which 514 are ranked at all levels, 3 special national relics including: Tay Thien Scenic Landscape Special National Relic, Binh Son Tower Special National Relic of Art and Architecture, Tho Tang Communal House Special National Relic.

The advantage of a land rich in historical and cultural traditions gives Vinh Phuc great potential for developing spiritual tourism.

Vinh Phuc is also famous for eco-tourism and resorts. Tam Dao town was awarded the "World's Leading Destination Town" award in 2022, Vinh Phuc golf course system was in the top 5 - most favorite golf courses in 2022... The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has recognized Tam Dao as a National Tourist Area. The issue of effectively exploiting the maximum potential of this land rich in cultural traditions and beautiful natural landscapes, in order to attract more tourists, especially international tourists, is creating challenges for Vinh Phuc tourism industry to have appropriate changes and development. Not fully exploiting advantages Talking to PV PL&XH about the issue of developing tourism services, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Tho - Chairman of Tam Dao Business Association said: With its geographical location, as well as its potential strengths that have not been fully exploited, it would be a great pity for a land blessed by nature with great potential for tourism development like Vinh Phuc. "Vinh Phuc province has many potentials and advantages to attract international tourists, especially the potential advantages in terms of geographical location, terrain, landscape, climate, culture, people... all converge enough to create international-class tourism products and services" - Mr. Nguyen Xuan Tho said. Taking the example of the "current situation" of golf services - a product that the locality expects to be a tourism product and service that attracts international tourists to Vinh Phuc, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Tho also said that there are many opinions that the locality needs to have policies to suit the development situation. In terms of geographical location, Vinh Phuc is near the capital Hanoi - the economic, cultural and social center of the country, near Noi Bai International Airport - it can be said that the locality is in an ideal location, convenient for attracting tourists from many places, including foreign tourists. In addition, Vinh Phuc's climate is also mild and pleasant, plus the majestic and beautiful natural landscape, especially Tam Dao tourist area, or Tay Thien scenic area have become famous destinations attracting tourists.

Tourists visit Tay Thien festival.

According to Mr. Nguyen Xuan Tho, the diverse terrain and land position in Vinh Phuc, with forests, mountains, rivers and lakes, are ideal conditions for creating world-class resorts and tourism, including golf services for example. In order to attract international tourists, high-class tourism services, such as high-end resorts or golf services, are actually "impressive" highlights that attract many tourists, bringing reputation to the locality on the tourism map. It is necessary to build a systematic planning of tourism service networks . In fact, in recent years, Vinh Phuc has also implemented many tourism promotion programs, including the planning of a golf course service system, which is also one of the positive moves, playing an important role in calling for investment in tourism development. Building a worthy tourism product that attracts international tourists also means that the locality can improve its position, creating attraction for tourists in general to come to the locality to visit and experience.

Flamingo Dai Lai, Vinh Phuc is the leading resort destination in the North.

However, according to Mr. Nguyen Xuan Tho - Chairman of Tam Dao Business Association, the policy to support businesses developing tourism products in Vinh Phuc in particular, needs to be expanded and create more favorable conditions for businesses. "For example, golf services - known as a product that attracts international visitors, but currently businesses providing this service still have to pay special income tax, while in the world this is a popular sport. Not considering golf as a popular sport as it actually is, puts financial pressure on investing businesses, while the cost of operating golf courses is already too high, unintentionally increasing costs for players - limiting people's access to the service" - Mr. Nguyen Xuan Tho acknowledged. On the other hand, there are places where rice and crop land are not cultivated economically, so people leave them fallow and waste them. From this reality, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Tho said that the State should promptly have more flexible and adjusted policies to suit the development rules.

For example, in Thailand, within a radius of 2 hours from their capital to neighboring areas, tourists can visit 200 golf courses, while in Vietnam there are less than 20 golf courses.

“The number of international visitors to Vinh Phuc is still limited because we have not created a synchronous connection of tourism services, limiting the ability of tourists to experience and enjoy. For example, most tourists coming to Tam Dao now just enjoy the cool climate and then many people return home - the cost of using products and services is very low, on average each person is only 300,000 - 500,000 VND, such a cost is almost minimal, and is almost only enough for cleaning up trash, not enough to reinvest and develop to bring high economic benefits as expected" - Mr. Nguyen Xuan Tho said.

Another reason, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Tho said, is that we do not have places to stay or tourism products with regional characteristics that are attractive enough to attract them to experience. For example, in Da Lat, in addition to beautiful landscapes, visitors to this locality can also experience many other services with regional characteristics that they do very well, such as gong festivals, campfires, cultural activities, sightseeing, and immersing themselves in village life. With many diverse and attractive services, suitable for tourists' budgets, it stimulates spending needs, making tourists willing to spend money to experience.

Looking from the experience of tourism development in many localities, the Chairman of Tam Dao Business Association said that if Vinh Phuc wants tourists to come, it must create attractive products and services with regional characteristics to "entice" tourists to spend money and enjoy the services.

To do so, in addition to promotional programs, localities need to develop a comprehensive and systematic plan for tourism service networks and tourist areas. Avoid the situation where the tourism service industry develops fragmentedly, with each person doing their own thing, as has happened in reality.

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