Tay Ninh (VNA) ꦆ– Recognising tourism as one of the breakthroughs for socio-economic development, the southwestern province of Tay Ninh has been focusing on various solutions and resources to create new impetus for the non-smoke industry.

Recently, the Tourism Associations and the Tourism Promotion Centres of Binh Duong, Tay Ninh, and Binh Phuoc provinces conducted a survey to exchange and build tourism products under a “One route - three destinations” tour, aiming to exploit typical products of the three localities as well as meeting demand of travellers. This year, Tay Ninh has set a goal of receiving 5.5 million visitors. To this end, the province will strengthen breakthrough policies to attract investors, increase investment in developing infrastructure systems and facilities for tourism, according to the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism. It will diversify and improve the quality of products in line with local potential and advantages, the department added. Tay Ninh welcomed nearly 3 million visitors in the first four months of this year and raked in 1.58 trillion VND (62.2 million USD) in total revenue, according to the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism. During the five-day holiday of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day (April 30) and May Day (May 1) from April 27 to May 1, the province attracted over 110,000 visitors, an increase of 12% compared with the same period last year and earning 74 billion VND in revenue. The Ba Den National Tourism Site continues to be an icon, serving as a new attraction for the local tourism industry. Along with Ba Pagoda, which is over 300 years old, and marvelous spiritual projects at an altitude of 986m on the mountain peak, this place has become the foremost cultural and spiritual destination in the southeastern region. Many unique cultural and art performances reflecting the simple daily life of local people are regularly organised, providing a novel experience for visitors to the locality. Other activities such as such as Chol Chnam Thmay traditional New Year Festival, Chhay-dam drum dance of the Khmer people, don ca tai tu (southern folk music) performances have shown the diverse culture of Tay Ninh and are also held on the mountain peak to attract tourists. Nguyen Bich Ngoc, a visitor from Dong Nai province, said she was stunned by the grandeur of Ba Den mountain, adding that what impressed her the most is the 720-metre tall statue of Bodhisattva made from over 170 tonnes of bronze, a record for the tallest bronze Bodhisattva statue in Asia situated on a mountain peak and the statue of Maitreya Buddha made of 6,688 natural jasper stones. As a frequent visitor to Tay Ninh, Nguyen My Hanh from Dong Thap province was still surprised by changes of Ba Den mountain upon returning recently. Hanh said that every time she comes here, she has a special feeling. She was even more impressed with synchronous transport infrastructure associated with tourism in the province. She hoped that an international airport will be built in Tay Ninh soon, thereby helping the province have the opportunity to lure more foreign tourists to the locality./.