Central localities taps marine tourism potential

With 127 kilometres of coastline, the central coastal province of Thua Thien-Hue boasts large potential to develop sea-based tourism.

The locality is home to beautiful beaches such as Thuan An, Lang Co, Canh Duong, and Tu Hien, along with the natural resources of the 22,000 hectare Tam Giang-Cau Hai lagoon system – the biggest of its kind in Southeast Asia.

During the holidays from April 29 to May 2, Thuan An beach, about 15 kilometres from the imperial city of Hue, attracted nearly 12,000 visitors per day.

Located some 60 kilometres from Hue, Canh Duong beach is also considered a beautiful beach at 8 kilometres long.

Additionally, Lang Co was voted one of the world’s most beautiful bays by the Worldbays Club in 2009.

With a 10km long white sand beach, Lang Co lies on the route “Central Heritage Road” with four famous world heritage sites, including Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park in Quang Binh province, the ancient imperial city of Hue, Hoi An Ancient Town and My Son Sanctuary in Quang Nam province.

The beach attracts 16 percent of total visitors to Thua Thien-Hue.

During the four-day holiday, Thua Thien-Hue welcomed 280,000 visitors, including 68,000 foreigners, a year-on-year rise of 25%.

The increasing number was partly due to the biennial Hue Traditional Craft Festival, which took place from April 28 to May 2.

Various activities were held such as an “ao dai” (Vietnamese traditional long dress) festival, an exhibition honouring artisans and tradition crafts, a balloon festival, a cuisine festival, and activities to promote tourism in Da Nang, Quang Nam and Hanoi.

Meanwhile, a large number of tourists flocked to sea and island tourism sites in the central province of Quang Nam.

Cu Lao Cham island, in particular, welcomed 5,000 domestic and foreign visitors each day during the holidays.

On normal days, the island serves about 3,000 tourists a day.

Tens of thousands of visitors also flocked to the world heritage sites of My Son Sanctuary and Hoi An ancient city.

Quang Nam aims to lure 5 million tourists this year, according to Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Dinh Hai.

On the occasion of April 30 and May 1, the south eastern coastal province of Binh Thuan greeted nearly 125,000 vacationers, including 9,100 foreigners, a year-on-year rise of 16%.

Source VNS