Recently, Binh Duong Province has concentrated on tourism development to create leverage for development and construction of tourist-attracting locations.
On the basis of General Tourism Planning of Binh Duong Province until 2020 and vision to 2030 as approved by Binh Duong Provincial People’s Committee, Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism (DCST) has consulted to construct 2 projects approved by the committee. The 2 projects are Development of Exclusive Tourism Products of Binh Duong Province until 2015 with orientation to 2020 and Dissemination, Introduction, and Promotion of Tourism in Binh Duong Province from 2013 to 2015 with orientation to 2020. Additionally, Planning for tourism need stimulation integrated into development of local services in 2013 and the next years has been implemented.
Investments into eco-tourism made
Under the orientation of Southern region planning of the province covering Thu Dau Mot Ciy, Thuan An Town, Di An Town and a part of Ben Cat Town, the major eco-tourism products will include orchards, rivers, cultural and historical sites, festivals, handicraft villages, religious sites, recreation, weekend relax, and resorts. Under the planning, Lai Thieu orchards and Saigon river tourism products are prioritized for development in Thuan An Town and Ben Cat Town including the development of tourism services in Thu Dau Mot City.
Visitors tour Dai Nam Cultural Resort. Photo: X. Thi.
On implementation of the planning, Binh Duong Province, recently, promoted the tourism products in Lai Thieu orchards by organizing Lai Thieu Fruit Festival 2013 attracting over 50,000 turns of visitors. In 2015, Binh Duong Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism will hold its hosting position to coordinate with related departments and Thuan An Town People’s Committee to organize Lai Thieu Fruit Festival 2015 to entertain the public and visitors.
On the other hand, the historical and cultural sites of the province including Phu Loi Prison, Tran Van Ho antique house, Mazu Goddess Temple, Hoi Khanh Pagoda, Chau Thoi Pagoda, etc. are the sites of visitor attraction. Meantime, other tourism sites and zones for resorts and shopping such as Dai Nam Cultural Resort, Phuong Nam and Resort offer choices of recreation and resting at weekends.
As for tourism on Saigon River, Binh Duong Provincial People’s Committee has approved investments into renovate of Ba Lua Port into a complex or tourism port through socialize funding. Concurrently, Binh Duong Provincial People’s Committee has permitted DCST to invite consultant to establish detail planning for Ba Lua Port servicing tourism development. Binh Duong Provincial Institution of Urban Planning and Development has proposed measures of investments and renovation of Ba Lua Port under Official Document No. 3606/UBND-VX dated October 20, 2014 of Binh Duong Provincial People’s Committee regarding the investments into, renovation, and exploitation of Ba Lua Port to service tourism development on rivers for the time to come.
To develop resting and entertainment tourism
Regarding the Northern region of the province covering Dau Tieng Lake, Cau Mountain, Saigon River corridor, and the approximant areas of Dau Tieng District and Ben Cat Town, the resting and entertainment tourism including premium sports will be suitable.
On the basis of general planning, DCST has made detail planning of Cau Mountain and Dau Tieng Lake resort of 257 hectares aiming at building up an attractive and unique place for eco-tourism, resort, recreation, and culture as an example for luring domestic and foreign investments. Currently, the provincial authority is encouraging hot asphalt building for 9km street circling the planning sites.
Binh Duong Provincial People’s Committee also approved to expand the site of Cu Chi Tunnel to additionally 100 hectares of Thanh An Commune while planning the upgrading of Thanh Tuyen Commune into a township for planning up a harbor at the downstream of Ben Suc River to build up sites for tourism along the river flow through Thanh Tuyen.
Regarding the Eastern region of the province along Dong Nai River and Be River crossing Tan Uyen Town and Phu Giao District, the tourism products will be eco-tourism, resorts, weekend stays, and premium sports. The prioritized zones include Dong Nai River bank, Da Ban Lake, Bach Dang Islet, and Uyen Hung Ward Center for Tourism Service Development in Tan Uyen Town.
Currently, Mat Xanh Resort of 50 hectares, Ho Nam Eco-Tourism Resort of 12.24 hectares, Han Tam Dang Resort, and Phuoc Loc Tho Resort are being developed in the Eastern region of the province where foreign investors are also working to build up an eco-resort of Meekong Golf & Villas covering 199.2 hectares for 54-hole golf court, 5-star club, restaurant and hotel.
To robustly promote tourism
Aside from well planning and development of tourism sites, Binh Duong Province has made robust information dissemination and tourism promotion in events organized by various cities and provinces. Besides, the provincial authority is maintaining series of festivals, surveys and studies of tourism management and exploitation.
Mr. Le Phan Thuan, DCST Director, said that market researches for behavior, taste, and habits of customers would be organize to identify customers of particular tourism products in the province. Besides, the Department also offers information to visitors in manuals, brochures, maps, etc.
Reported by Phuong Le – Translated by Vi Bao
