Northern Ninh Binh Province’s tourism sector exceeded its 2026 full-year targets in both visitor volume and total revenue during the first nine months of the year, welcoming over 20.958 million arrivals, including more than 2.442 million international tourists, with revenue reaching over VND21.979 trillion ($879.16 million), surpassing annual plans by 4.79 percent and 9.89 percent, respectively.
Alongside product development, the Northern province is accelerating infrastructure investments at key tourist sites. Infrastructure construction projects for Trang An Eco-Tourism Area, Trang An Cultural Park, and Bai Dinh Pagoda Mountain are undergoing file finalization, site clearance, and construction progress. Dredging operations for the Bich Dong - Hang But and Thach Bich - Thung Nang waterway transport routes have also been completed for operational handover.
Industry stakeholders highlighted the potential of expanding tourism spaces toward coastal zones to diversify itineraries.
Mr. Pham Hong Bien, Director of Tam Sinh Tourism and Event Company, noted that adding coastal destinations allows travel firms to design multi-day tours combining cultural heritage, ecology, coastal experiences, and leisure resort stays.
He emphasized the need for standardized accommodation facilities and amenities to serve corporate Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) groups.
Private sector investments and technology integration are playing a key role in enriching visitor experiences.
Mr. Hoang Manh Quan from Legend Valley Country Club, said that local administrative reform and infrastructure improvements have facilitated project implementation. The complex is finalizing its 18-hole Canyon Course and bringing Legend Farm into operation while preparing to host golf tournaments, sports events, and MICE programs in collaboration with travel agencies.
Ninh Binh’s tourism sector is also prioritizing digital transformation, proposing the inclusion of a digital data and AI system for heritage conservation and smart tourism management in the 2026-2030 mid-term public investment plan.
Currently, the province maintains five information kiosks at key tourist hubs and 32 free Wi-Fi access points, which recorded 12,901 users in August. The local government has also introduced the “Ninhbinhtourisminfo” smart tourism portal and QR code systems for tourists.
To support digital adoption, Ninh Binh launched a digital literacy campaign featuring nearly 30 instructional video clips sent to local communities and enterprises.
At an innovation conference on October 16, Mr. Nguyen Toan Thang, Deputy Director of the Ninh Binh Department of Science and Technology, stressed that diversifying products and personalizing service quality are critical to meeting rising tourist expectations.
Conference participants discussed smart destination management, green transformation, operational optimization for three-to-five-star hotels, and pilot models such as healthcare tourism.
Mr. Nguyen Quyet Tam, Co-Head of the traveltech & foodtech community at Techfest Vietnam and Director of VietISO, urged hoteliers to enhance service quality and integrate destination ecosystems to lengthen visitor stays and boost spending.
Meanwhile, Mr. Vu Viet Anh, Director of Thanh Cong Academy, advised focusing on smart accommodation, wellness tourism, night economy activities, and local One Commune One Product offerings to elevate destination competitiveness.
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