Ninh Binh has witnessed a significant increase in international arrivals this year, with numbers reaching almost one million, greatly contributing to the province’s tourism revenue. This strong foundation sets the stage for the tourism industry to surpass the goals and plans set for 2024. Following the summer peak season for domestic travelers, October is considered the prime time for Ninh Binh to welcome international visitors, especially those from European countries and South Asian nations who favor eco-tourism and cultural immersion.
SHOWCASING THE BEAUTY OF THE ANCIENT CAPITAL
The Ninh Binh Culinary and Tourism Festival 2024 aims to introduce, showcase, and facilitate cultural and culinary exchanges between districts, cities, and culinary businesses in Ninh Binh Province. This event holds great significance as it contributes to the preservation, promotion, and enhancement of traditional culinary culture, including the research and revival of ancient Hoa Lu royal court cuisine.
The festival features a regional culinary exhibition and a tourism culinary contest on October 24, with categories such as traditional royal feast preparation and cooking. A seminar on developing Ninh Binh’s culinary culture and tourism will also be held on October 22. The event attracts the participation of eight districts and cities within the province, along with 100 booths from businesses inside and outside the province. Admission to the festival is free for both locals and tourists.
Meanwhile, the Trang An – Cuc Phuong Hot Air Balloon Festival, organized from October 26 to 29, 2024, embraces the theme “Splendid Ancient Capital.” The festival will feature 35 hot air balloons and parachutes piloted by foreign pilots and members of the Hanoi Parachuting Club. The flight times for the hot air balloons are scheduled from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 4:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Additionally, photo opportunities alongside the hot air balloons will be available from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and from 3:30 p.m. onwards each day.
Ninh Binh is committed to a sustainable and community-based tourism strategy, maximizing respect for natural and historical-cultural values while developing unique and creative tourism products that blend culture, art, and natural landscapes. Recently, the locality signed a memorandum of understanding with the Vietnam Film Promotion Association, aiming to transform Ninh Binh into a renowned filming location for Vietnamese and international productions, especially period dramas.
The collaboration, spanning from 2024 to 2035, consists of two phases: the initiation phase (2024-2025), which focuses on promotional events, attracting film crews, and developing film scripts about Ninh Binh; and the implementation phase (2026-2035), which involves the practical realization of these plans.
Regarding the development of filming locations, the Ninh Binh Department of Culture and Sports is in the process of establishing a master plan. This includes constructing a historical park in the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, restoring the original landscape based on historical records, exhibiting models and replicas of the ancient capital, and forming an archaeological park protected by modern technologies.
It is anticipated that filming locations will be established in the following areas: Phu Loc, Quynh Luu, Gia Son, and Gia Lam (Nho Quan District); Gia Trung, Gia Hung, and Gia Van (Gia Vien District); Ninh Giang, Ninh Tien, and Ninh My (Hoa Lu District). “We hope to attract film productions from France, India, and Vietnam to Ninh Binh,” said Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan, Chairman of the Vietnam Film Promotion Association.
VISION TO BECOME A GLOBAL CITY
According to the recently approved Ninh Binh Provincial Planning for the period of 2021-2030, with a vision towards 2050, the province identifies cultural and tourism industries as key drivers of economic growth. During a working session between the provincial leaders and the AVSE Global Organization of Vietnamese Scientists and Experts, Mr. Doan Minh Huan, Secretary of the Ninh Binh Party Committee, affirmed that with the orientation and development perspective of “Green, Sustainable, and Harmonious,” the province is focusing on four key areas: assetization of heritage, museumization of heritage, filming of heritage, and parkization of heritage; and transitioning from shallow economic integration to deep economic integration.
Mr. Huan pointed out that Ninh Binh’s unique advantage among the 62 provinces and cities in the country lies in the harmonious blend of cultural and natural heritages recognized by UNESCO. It is also the only locality in Southeast Asia to be honored by UNESCO in both the fields of natural and cultural heritage. However, he acknowledged that the province has primarily focused on exploiting raw products without emphasizing refined products, such as integrating cultural and tourism elements with science and technology to create a distinct identity for Ninh Binh’s tourism industry.
During the working session, Professor Dr. Nguyen Duc Khuong, Chairman of AVSE Global, asserted that the province’s strengths in terms of geographical location, natural resources, and historical and cultural values would serve as a solid foundation for Ninh Binh to embark on a new cycle of rapid, sustainable, and responsible development. The experts and scholars also shared insights and suggested orientations for green space planning, circular economic development, smart infrastructure, and the application of information technology, ensuring network security and safety.
Dr. Dinh Thanh Huong, Executive Director of Knowledge and Projects at AVSE Global and CFO of Finance, Financial Services, and Investments at BNP Paribas, proposed a development strategy for Ninh Binh based on the word “DINH,” which is a common surname in the province. The four elements encompass D (Digitalization), I (Innovation), N (Nature & Heritage), and H (Human).
With a vision to become a global city, the experts recommended that Ninh Binh should focus on exploring cultural and natural values by emphasizing quality and iconic projects. Additionally, they suggested establishing carbon emission reduction standards, developing Net Zero tourism, and positioning the province as a hub for domestic and international events, fostering cultural exchanges within Vietnam and worldwide.
Great News from Ninh Binh
The socioeconomic situation in the region has continued to flourish in the first eight months of the year.
The Skilled Scullers of Tràng An Scenic Landscape: A Receipt-Worthy Experience That Has Netizens Enthralled.
While the internet is ablaze with extravagant celebrity spending revelations, a heartwarming story of collective generosity from the Tràng An Tourism Boat Staff in Ninh Bình has emerged, capturing the respect and admiration of many.
The Devastating Floods of Nho Quan: Over 2,500 Households Submerged
Heavy rainfall, coupled with upstream water, has caused severe flooding in the Nho Quan district, with thousands of households submerged and hundreds of hectares of crops at risk of total loss.
The Golden Province of Ninh Binh: A Fiscal Triumph with Auction Sales
Nearly 400 billion VND in just 3 auctions, with a record-breaking number of bids, Ninh Binh’s golden touch captivates investors.
In August alone, Ninh Binh province held three auctions, which attracted thousands of registrations. An impressive 326 out of 332 land lots were successfully auctioned, generating a remarkable revenue of over 382.268 trillion VND.
The Rising Tide: Battling the Floods in Ninh Binh and Thanh Hoa
On September 12th, water levels in the Hoàng Long and Đáy rivers (Ninh Bình province) and the Bưởi, Cầu Chày, and Yên rivers (Thanh Hóa province) were rising. In response, authorities promptly initiated patrol and guard duties for the dikes, enacting appropriate alert levels.
