Hai Phong tourism: A mosaic of experiences
Formerly known for its strengths in marine tourism, recreation, and cuisine, Hai Phong city now also boasts advantages in cultural-historical, ecological, and spiritual tourism following its merger with Hai Duong province.
More options
In early July, Bui Duy Hung from Hong Bang ward had a chance to visit Dong Man ecological site in Thanh Ha commune with his friends. For the first time, he experienced interesting activities such as boating along a river, walking through lychee orchards, and picking lychees to eat right under the tree.
Also during this trip, Hung and his friends enjoyed the local ruoi (ragworm) specialty and spent the afternoon sightseeing and taking artistic photos in Dao Co (Stork Island) eco-tourism area in Nam Thanh Mien commune.
“What brought a new feeling to us throughout the trip was that the destinations and experiences have now become part of Hai Phong city,” said Hung.
The former Hai Phong city had strengths in island and resort tourism, with destinations popular among both domestic and international tourists such as Cat Ba Island, Lan Ha Bay, Do Son tourist area… along with a modern resort system.
Among them, Cat Ba, known as a “pearl island,” is famous for its unspoiled beauty and biodiversity, ranked among the world’s most beautiful bays and recognized by UNESCO as a world natural heritage site.
After merging with Hai Duong province, the new Hai Phong city has more strengths in cultural-historical, spiritual, and ecological tourism, with attractions such as Con Son – Kiep Bac relic site, Thanh Mai pagoda, the temple of teacher Chu Van An, Tranh temple, Bia temple, Mao Dien Temple of Literature, Dao Co eco-tourism area… The diversification of tourism types after the merger offers more options for visitors.
According to Bui Van Hoa, Head of the Tourism Management Division under the city Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, after the merger, Hai Phong not only has more types of tourism but also a broader space and richer tourism resources with distinct advantages, contributing to improving tours, extending visitors’ stay, and increasing tourism revenue.
Hoa also believed that the merger would expand development space. Inter-regional infrastructure, like roads, waterways, and seaways, will be more closely connected. The scale, workforce, and service quality will also improve.
According to statistics from the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the western part of Hai Phong (former Hai Duong province) has 3,038 relic sites, including 4 special national relics, 142 national relics, 280 provincial relics, and 11 national intangible cultural heritages.
The eastern part (former Hai Phong city), meanwhile, has 942 relic sites in total, including 1 world natural heritage site, 4 special national relics, 119 national relics, and 435 city-level relics.
These are valuable resources for the development of Hai Phong tourism in the future.
Unique product development
Nguyen Minh Xo, Chairman of the Hai Phong Tourism Association, said that businesses are ready to coordinate with State management agencies to contribute to building a diverse and attractive tourism ecosystem.
The city Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism is actively organizing and participating in various tourism promotion and marketing programs. It is also working with partners to develop tourism products that keep up with modern travel trends.
Recently, Hai Phong has taken strong steps to realize its tourism development strategy, such as launching the nighttime tour “Sacred marks of Hang Kenh,” using digital technology to bring back the heritage of Hang Kenh communal house and traditional communal art forms… The nighttime tour has initially been evaluated as a unique product that attracts attention from locals and tourists.
LE HUONG