Ninh Binh Travel in 2024: Opportunities and Challenges

Ninh Binh Tourism: A Decade of Evolution. We're taking a deep dive into the current state of tourism in Ninh Binh after ten years of development. This exploration will unravel the crucial challenge of protecting the stunning Tràng An World Heritage Site's environment and address the pressing need to enhance the quality of its tourism workforce.
With its majestic limestone mountains interspersed with rivers, often dubbed 'Ha Long Bay on land,' Ninh Binh has attracted a large number of visitors.
Over the past decade, Ninh Binh's tourism has undergone a spectacular transformation, becoming an unmissable destination on the international travel map. With its majestic limestone mountains interspersed with rivers, often dubbed 'Ha Long Bay on land,' Ninh Binh has truly captivated a vast number of tourists.
The allure of this ancient capital region has grown even stronger since the Trang An Landscape Complex was inscribed as a UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage site in 2014. However, despite the abundant natural opportunities, Ninh Binh's tourism also faces numerous challenges.

The ripe rice season in Tam Coc-Bich Dong, Ninh Binh.
Environmental Challenges
According to a report from the Ninh Binh Department of Tourism, Ninh Binh welcomed over 6.5 million visitors in 2023, an impressive figure representing a 77% increase compared to the previous year. Domestic tourists predominated with over 6.1 million arrivals, while international visitors also reached more than 450,000. Tourism revenue exceeded 6.516 trillion VND, doubling that of 2022, reflecting the remarkable growth of the local tourism industry.
One of the most visible indicators of Ninh Binh's robust tourism growth is the surge in accommodation facilities. From only about 20 establishments registered on online booking platforms like Booking or Agoda in 2012, this number has soared to nearly 500 by 2024. This increase not only meets the growing demand from tourists but also contributes to boosting the local economy, creating a significant number of jobs not just for residents within the province but also for neighboring provinces such as Ha Nam, Nam Dinh, Thanh Hoa, and others.
Speaking with reporters, the product director of a tour operator from the Republic of France shared: 'After visiting hotels and restaurants, we felt both joy and concern. Joy because there are many more options, but concern about the significant environmental consequences, and how Ninh Binh's unique product identity and distinct character are being 'marketized,' 'hybridized,' and 'distorted.' The picturesque roads are now cluttered with haphazardly parked cars, diminishing the overall experience.'
Environmental issues are a major factor that will significantly impact a destination's appeal. 'A destination might be incredibly popular this year, but the very next year, it could see its visitor numbers halved or worse if an environmental incident occurs. A recent example is in Northern Laos, where a severe air pollution episode early last year, caused by hot weather and widespread straw burning, led to many hotels in Luang Prabang having empty rooms during peak season. More recently in Ha Long, when the media and social networks highlighted the issue of waste pollution in Ha Long Bay, many of our clients requested a change of destination.'
Some tour companies, after surveying hotels in Ninh Binh, stated: 'We observed that they haven't invested adequately in wastewater treatment. Wastewater from kitchens and restaurants is passed through a rudimentary grease trap before being discharged directly into rivers and fields. Some sections of the river emit a very unpleasant stench. If this situation continues, protecting the pristine rivers and waterways will become extremely challenging.'

The river at Linh Coc ferry terminal is consistently murky and foamy, struggling under the burden of wastewater discharged from Thung Nham.
Visual pollution and uncontrolled illegal construction activities are also issues affecting Ninh Binh's tourism.
The current reality in Trang An is an excessive number of construction projects, especially guesthouses and hotels. The high increase in building density, even in areas close to the foot of the mountains, coupled with inconsistent architecture that is often unsuitable for the local cultural context, is eroding Ninh Binh's unique character and natural landscape…

Illegal constructions, massive in size and concrete usage, are negatively impacting the heritage landscape.
Hybridized Products, Lacking Identity
Another challenge facing Ninh Binh's tourism industry is the lack of diversity in activities and tourism products. Currently, most tour operators' itineraries focus on three main activities: boat trips, cycling, and visiting temples and pagodas. However, Ninh Binh's beauty and traditional culture extend far beyond these activities. The absence of regular cultural events such as art performances, cultural exhibitions, and museum visits makes it difficult for tour operators to design longer itineraries in Ninh Binh and to encourage repeat visits from tourists.
Currently, tourist accommodation facilities number nearly 500, yet only a handful possess unique architectural features, distinctive decor, appealing internal landscapes, and the capacity to provide high-quality services. The majority are still homestay models, independently invested in and operated by local families. Some newer establishments seem overly focused on the quantity of rooms, seemingly neglecting the crucial elements of quality and customer experience.
What Solutions for Breakthrough Growth?
When discussing the quality of tourism products, one cannot overlook the most crucial and decisive factor: people, specifically the tourism workforce. The number of personnel, service culture, skills, and professional qualifications are key elements for achieving a breakthrough in Ninh Binh's tourism today.
During the post-Covid-19 recovery period and up to the present, many resorts in Ninh Binh have reported significant difficulties in recruiting staff, even though they are all willing to hire untrained individuals and provide on-the-job training. A representative from a renowned resort in the Tam Coc area stated: 'We find it particularly challenging to recruit staff who can communicate in English or French, let alone other less common foreign languages. Even F&B (restaurant, kitchen - reporter's note) and housekeeping staff are not easy to find. It's even harder to find those who are already professionally trained in these fields. Many young people proficient in foreign languages prefer to stay in big cities. Those who have completed high school tend to opt for jobs in industrial zones, which are generally less demanding than the accommodation service industry.'
Ninh Binh possesses many advantages in terms of human resources, but these have not been adequately developed. Ninh Binh boasts convenient transportation, easily connecting with 'reservoirs' of labor from neighboring provinces. Hoa Lu University in Ninh Binh offers specialized tourism and hotel management programs among its various fields of study. Coupled with the robust development of its tourism ecosystem, Ninh Binh could absolutely become a training and supply hub for tourism personnel for the entire region. An accommodation facility in the area shared: 'We are ready to collaborate with Hoa Lu University, welcoming students for practical training through real-world work, and even placing orders with them. With hundreds of accommodation facilities located close to Ninh Binh city, developing this linked training model is highly advantageous.'
Ninh Binh's tourism is currently experiencing rapid and promising growth, yet it is also fraught with challenges. To transform these challenges into opportunities, a comprehensive strategy is needed, combining environmental protection, ecological landscape conservation, diverse tourism product development, and human resource quality enhancement. Among these aspects, environmental protection must be considered a top and urgent priority, as experience shows that any delay in this regard will lead to consequences that are difficult to remedy. Strict and comprehensive control over compliance with legal regulations concerning waste and wastewater treatment, construction order, and the preservation of natural landscapes will not only protect valuable resources but also foster an image of green, sustainable tourism.
Unity and consensus from all stakeholders, from local authorities to businesses and the community, are crucial keys to the sustainable development of Ninh Binh's tourism.
Ninh Binh 6924 view
Update day : 15/02/2024
Source : Đại Đoàn Kết Affiliate links
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