Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex – an attractive destination of Ninh Binh. Abundant tourism resources As an ancient land located in the Red River Delta, Ninh Binh used to be the capital of Vietnam (in the period 968 – 1010) with 3 dynasties Dinh, Le, and Ly. Traces of the ancient capital preserved intact to this day are the relics of Hoa Lu ancient capital. Along with that is a diverse humanistic tourism resource with more than 1,500 historical – cultural relics, including 1 World Cultural and Natural Heritage, 2 Special National Monuments; 225 festivals and 83 typical traditional craft villages. Referring to Ninh Binh, it must be mentioned that natural resources are extremely rich, typically the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex which has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage with 400 large and small caves. In addition, Ninh Binh also owns the largest forest area compared to other provinces in the Red River Delta (more than 29,000 ha); in which, there is Cuc Phuong National Park – home to nearly 2,000 species of higher plants and 2,600 species of animals. In addition, there are special-use forests of Hoa Lu rocky mountains and Kim Son coastal mangrove forests with many species of animals and plants listed in the World Red Book. The above potentials are the conditions for Ninh Binh to build many types and products of tourism such as spiritual tourism, culture – history, ecology, resort, community, heritage, MICE (combined tourism). As a result, many tourism products of Ninh Binh have been highly appreciated by the international media, such as Tam Coc tourist area, which was introduced by CNN as one of the seven most beautiful caves in Vietnam and a newspaper. Telegraph (UK) once voted as one of 15 “beautiful but little known” places, or Bulletin magazine (Switzerland) voted Ninh Binh as one of the 10 most attractive destinations in Vietnam… Hoang Kim Nhut, a tourist from Ho Chi Minh City shared after his trip in March 2021: “I was overwhelmed while sailing, discovering the beauty of Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex and the National Park. Van Long Nature Reserve. Ninh Binh makes a strong impression on me by its majestic rocky mountain system, diverse ecosystem and unspoiled nature. Hopefully, Ninh Binh will promote the power of this tourism resource in the future.” Connecting important “links” Thanks to the synchronous implementation of solutions in the state management of tourism, promotion and product development, etc., despite being significantly affected by the Covid-19 epidemic, the first quarter of 2021 Ninh Binh still welcomed 619,572 visitors, reaching 50% over the same period in 2020, revenue was estimated at nearly 420 billion VND, reaching 61.3% over the same period in 2020. Humbly acknowledging the achieved results, Dr. Bui Van Manh, Director of Ninh Binh Department of Tourism said: “Besides the above results, Ninh Binh’s tourism products are still duplicated, monotonous, lacking in connectivity end; some products have not effectively exploited resources to create quality products and services with cultural depth. This has greatly influenced the promotion of comparative advantages and enhanced competitiveness of Ninh Binh compared to other destinations in the country. In order for Ninh Binh tourism to truly become a spearhead economic sector, contributing positively to the process of structural transformation and socio-economic development of the locality, Mr. Bui Van Manh said that the “link” is important. The most important thing is to organize promotion and promotion, focus on developing tourism products based on the sustainable exploitation of heritage and traditional cultural values ​​in order to create products bearing the local imprint. and suitable to the needs of the guest markets, especially domestic customers during this time. With the desire to soon recover and develop strongly in the coming time, Mr. Bui Van Manh said that Ninh Binh tourism industry has been implementing synchronous measures such as: Issuing preferential and attractive policies. investment in tourism; Build a safe, friendly and attractive Ninh Binh tourist destination; Promote linkages with localities, diversify tourism products; Develop an overall strategy for promotion, promotion and development of the local destination brand; Applying science and technology, digital transformation in tourism development; Check and promptly handle acts of infringing upon heritage and tourism resources… These are fundamental solutions for Ninh Binh tourism to develop sustainably in the coming time.

Reporter: Sir, as the local honor to be chosen to host the National Tourism Year 2021, how has Ninh Binh prepared for this event? Mr. Bui Van Manh: In fact, Ninh Binh has been preparing since 2020, but due to the complicated development of the Covid-19 epidemic, the activities of the National Tourism Year 2020 have been postponed, all these contents have been moved to this year and we I am also very honored to be allowed by the Government to continue hosting the National Tourism Year 2021. In order to prepare for the National Tourism Year 2021, the provincial leaders have strongly directed, fully prepared facilities, human resources, prevention of Covid-19 epidemic under the direction of the Government… Up to now, it can be said that all the preparations have been well implemented, ensuring the set schedule and are ready for the Opening Ceremony of the National Tourism Year at the Special National Monument. Hoa Lu ancient capital, Truong Yen commune, Hoa Lu district. With the theme of the National Tourism Year is “Hoa Lu – The ancient capital of a thousand years”, we want to take the cultural and historical value of thousands of years of the land of Hoa Lu ancient capital, associated with the historical and cultural values ​​of Vietnam. Trang An World Natural Heritage, through which to honor the values, especially the value of Trang An World Heritage Site. Mr. Bui Van Manh – Director of Ninh Binh Department of Tourism: All is ready for the National Tourism Year 2021 Reporter: In addition to the Opening Ceremony, there will certainly be many interesting activities and events to attract visitors as well as promote the image of Ninh Binh tourism. So which tourism activities are considered as outstanding highlights in the National Tourism Year 2021, sir? Mr. Bui Van Manh: In Ninh Binh province, we have 38 main activities, some activities have taken place since the beginning of the year, but the scale must be adjusted to suit the epidemic prevention and control. The remaining main highlights of the National Tourism Year 2021 are: The opening ceremony of the National Tourism Year, Hoa Lu festival, Trang An festival, Thai Vi temple festival and 1 festival that we organize every year. Ninh Binh Tourism Week Golden color Tam Coc – Trang An taking place at the end of May and beginning of June is the occasion of the golden rice season in the ancient capital of Hoa Lu. In particular, Heritage Connection Festival is an activity we will organize every 2 or 3 years with the desire to connect Trang An – Hoa Lu heritage with domestic and international heritages. Besides, there are cultural and sports activities such as men’s/women’s volleyball tournament… There are also many other response activities held in 27 provinces and cities across the country such as: Hanoi, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Nghe An, Da Nang, Khanh Hoa, Can Tho, Ca Mau… Reporter: How have tourism products, tours and routes to serve tourists when coming to Ninh Binh prepared, sir? Mr. Bui Van Manh: For many years now, Ninh Binh has become a destination attracting many domestic and foreign tourists with a series of famous and attractive landscapes such as: Trang An eco-tourism area; Bai Dinh pagoda complex with Bai Dinh experience tour at night; Van Long lagoon is the largest wetland nature reserve in the Northern Delta; Mua Cave tourist area, Thung Nham bird garden; Tam Coc – Bich Dong; Am Tien cave; Cuc Phuong National Park, Phat Diem Stone Church… It can be said that, with unspoiled nature, charming landscapes, can combine many methods of sightseeing by boat, car, bicycle… I believe visitors are completely satisfied when coming to Ninh Binh. Reporter: Sir, the National Tourism Year 2021 takes place in the context that the Covid-19 epidemic has not ended yet. To ensure the safety of tourists when participating in activities in the National Tourism Year, what plans has the Ninh Binh tourism industry made? Mr. Bui Van Manh: The work of ensuring the safety of people and visitors is of great concern to the province, the health sector, and the tourism industry, considering it a top priority. Right from the beginning of the year, we have implemented a lot of measures to prevent the epidemic, especially implementing the 5K message of the Ministry of Health. Specifically, the prevention and control of the Covid-19 epidemic is divided into 3 phases: Before, during and after the opening ceremony of the National Tourism Year 2021. We also require tourist areas and attractions to regularly disinfect and require all tourists when visiting places to wear masks, make medical declarations, and send staff to measure temperature checks for all visitors at destinations to minimize the impact and impact of the Covid-19 epidemic on the tourism industry. At attractions, places where activities and events take place, masks, disinfectant solutions are placed in public places, vehicles for tourists… For the work of ensuring food safety and hygiene, we coordinate with the Health sector to take samples for testing restaurants and hotels around the event area to ensure safety… Right at the opening ceremony, we had plans and scenarios for epidemic prevention and control, and arranged emergency vehicles and isolation locations if there was a suspected case of Covid-19 infection… so that when bad situations happen There will be a plan to deal with it in a timely manner. Up to this point, it can be said that the basic areas and accommodation facilities have performed very well, ensuring epidemic prevention. Reporter: Sincerely thank you.