Ninh Thuan (VNA) – The south central province of Ninh Thuan is expected towelcome 2.35 million visitors in 2019 and earn 1.15 trillion VND (49.95 millionUSD) from tourism.

In the year, the locality, which is home to 149 cultural heritages, plans toimprove its tourism services and products.

Le Van Binh, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee and head of theprovince’s steering board for tourism development, said to meet the targets,Ninh Thuan has focused on enhancing State management in tourism, ensuringsecurity and safety, protecting the environment, improving behaviour at touristsites, improving human resources and raising public awareness of tourismdevelopment.

At the same time, the locality will promote itself both at home and abroad, headded.

According to the official, to create special tourism products, Ninh Thuan iscalling for luxury tourism projects in the coastal areas of Binh Tien, Vinh Hyand Ninh Chu, and urban, maritime and eco-tourism in Phan Rang-Thap Cham city.

The province has, to date, attracted 50 tourism projects with total registeredcapital exceeding 17.54 trillion VND (754.22 million USD).

Accommodations in Ninh Thuan, which number 145 with 3,100 rooms, have paidattention to improving facilities and diversifying services, while seeking linkswith travel companies.

In 2018, Ninh Thuan served 2.19 million tourists, up 15.3 percent year-on-year,and raked in 1.05 trillion VND (45.15 million USD) from the sector, ayear-on-year rise of 18.9 percent.
Among 149 cultural heritages in Ninh Thuan, there are twospecial national relic sites, and 12 national relic sites. Notably, the localDon Ca Tai Tu (southern folk music) was recognised as Intangible CulturalHeritage of Humankind by UNESCO.

Cham pagodas with unique architecture have beenan icon of Ninh Thuan province for centuries, with Po Klong Garai and Hoa Laitowers recognised as special national architectural relic sites.

In addition, the province is renowned for its festivals, such as the WhaleWorshipping, leaving tomb and cremation ritual of the ethnic Cham Brahmanpeople. 

The most important event for Cham people is theKate festival, with activities taking place in temples, towers, and centralareas in villages and towns. Falling in the seventh month of the Cham calendar,the festival reminds the ethnic Brahman community of their ancient gods anddelivers wishes for bumper harvests and the growth of all beings. During thefestival, people wear traditional clothes to join rituals and culturalactivities, folk dances and musical performances with traditional instruments.

Besides organising traditional festivals, the provincehas developed tours of the craft villages of Bau Truc and My Nghiep.

Bau Truc pottery village, a national intangibleheritage, is the oldest pottery village in Southeast Asia. Some 85 percent ofthe village’s 400 households make pottery. Every stage of the pottery-makingprocess is done by hand. 

Meanwhile, My Nghiep is popular for itstraditional craft of weaving brocade. Visitors can see locals weaving andmaking various products from brocade such as handbags, wallets andbackpacks.-VNA