Coast is clear for Quang Binh

July 06, 2012 | 15:58
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Timeout talks to Tran Tien Dung, vice chairman of Quang Binh People’s Committee about the Quang Binh Tourism Month 2012 and the Discover Quang Binh Caves campaign

Can you tell us more about Quang Binh Tourism Month 2012?

In the past we often held tourism promotion events for a short-time but on a large scale. So this year we plan to host the Quang Binh Tourism Month along with the National Tourism Year for the north central coast.

We will promote highlights such as cave tourism with the launch of new tourism routes to discover Rao Thuong – En cave and explore the Phong Nha cave at a depth of 1,500m as well as E cave and Sinh Ton valley. At the same time, we will host traditional events with bong dancing and cheo (Vietnamese opera) performances, the famous fish worshipping festival, boat racing on Nhat Le river, musical shows, a culinary festival and the Vietnam, Laos and Thailand international trade fair.

Throughout these activities we would like to promote and advertise Quang Binh tourism as a hot spot for local and international tourists. We also wish to call for investment and raise the awareness of local authorities and communities about the important role tourism can play in the socio-economic development of the province.

In addition, the new tours to Rao Thuong - En cave and Phong Nha cave, which will appeal to both local and international tourists, will help promote the Quang Binh’s brand in the future. Besides hosting the Vietnam, Laos and Thailand international trade fair is a good chance for us to promote our province’s tourism sector to the region, especially Laos and Thailand via the east and west economic corridor.
 
Have you ever held campaigns like this before?

Over the past years, we have held various events aimed at developing the provincial politics and socio-economy as well as introducing the beautiful scenery and hospitality of Quang Binh to tourists. We also attended many trade and tourism events in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and other big cities around the country.

However, the year 2011 was the first time we organised the Quang Binh cultural tourism week 2011 with many events and activities, including the TV show Quang Binh’s Imposing Caves (broadcast on Vietnam television).

This was the first television programme showing Thien Duong cave from the world nature heritage site of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park. The marvellous images of Son Doong, the largest cave in the world, attracted a large number of viewers.

How do you evaluate the quality of accommodation and entertainment in Quang Binh province?

Currently Quang Binh has 187 accommodations with two star hotels up to four star hotels and 18 hotels from one to two stars with 2,795 rooms that can meet the demands of local and international tourists. The hotels are mainly built in Dong Hoi city and Phong Nha – Ke Bang area. From now till the National Day on September 2, most hotels around town are fully booked.

Furthermore last April, the private enterprise Tan Binh opened a three-star hotel with 83 rooms. This is good news for Quang Binh tourism.
 
How do tourists travel to Quang Binh? Is the province more of a destination for Vietnamese?

Quang Binh can be accessed by road, railway, down the Ho Chi Minh Trail, through Dong Hoi airport or Hon La sea port – we boast sightseeing, cultural and historical relics, and the world natural heritage site of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park.

Quang Binh is most perfect from February till September. Therefore, this period attracts both local and foreign tourists who will enjoy a longer stay at Sun Spa Resort or Saigon-Quang Binh resort.

According to the Quang Binh’s Department of Culture, Sport and Tourism, in the first six months of 2012, Quang Binh welcomed nearly 526,000 tourists, an increase of 15.17 per cent in comparison to the same period last year. There were about 11,700 international tourists, an increase of 11.3 percent.
 
How can you stop businesses hiking prices to take advantage of peak periods?

Quang Binh People’s Committee in conjunction with the Department of Culture, Sport and Tourism and other related authorities devised a master plan for Quang Binh Tourism Month 2012.
A special meeting with participants from many representatives from travel agencies, local business owners and hoteliers around town was held.

We announced we would regular check food safety, hygiene, fire safety and asked all businesses to post their rates to the public, especially hotels and restaurants in Dong Hoi city and Phong Nha – Ke Bang.
 
What measures have you put in place for environmental protection?

We have applied policies for waste treatment and environmental protection which have worked well. We always encourage local businesses to use clean and green energy such as solar power, or to simply reduce power usage where possible, especially on hot, summer days.
 
Thank you for your time!

It is my pleasure and I would like to give our thanks to the press and media for their ongoing support of Quang Binh’s tourism products.

vir.com.vn

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