Ninh Binh develops green tourism associated with waste reduction in community

Recently, the Vietnam Tourism Association (VTA) has cooperated with the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources (ISPONRE) and Environment and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Vietnam to pilot a project on minimising plastic waste in tourism activities in Ninh Binh and Quang Nam provinces.

Ninh Binh was selected for carrying out the project because it has defined tourism as a spearhead economic sector, developing green, sustainable tourism as a foundation for green growth of other sectors and fields.

Sound decisions for sustainable development 

In different phases of development, Ninh Binh has adjusted its polices and strategies to match with real conditions and available resources, under which tourism has always been defined as a priority field.

In recent years, Ninh Binh has issued numerous resolutions, decisions and programmes on tourism development. In particular, the Resolution of the 22^ndCongress of the provincial Party Organisation for the 2020-2025 tenure  has defined developing infrastructure for tourism as a spearhead economic sector, and it will be one of the three strategic breakthroughs to create strong economic structuring, switching from construction material exploitation to  tourism development in a bid to build a green economic growth model.

To date, localities in the province have always paid due attention to protecting the natural landscape and historical relic sites, and zone off areas for prohibiting the exploitation of limestonesand special use forests.

These viewpoints have helped lure more investors to Ninh Binh, thereby turning it into a safe, friendly and attractive destination with many attractions such as Trang An ecological site, Tam Coc - Bich Dong, Van Long Natural Wetland Reserve; Cuc Phuong National Park, Thung Nham Bird Sanctuary and Bai Dinh pagoda.

Besides, the province has paid more attention to ensuring social order and security, environmentalsanitation, food safety and hygiene, andcivilized tourism at destinations, restaurants, hotels and tourism service establishments.

Thanks to these efforts, Ninh Binh has been named among top cities and provinces nationwide in ensuring security, safety and environmental hygiene.

Developing tourism sustainably has created momentum for other sectors to develop and turned Ninh Binh into a self-budget-balancing province, therefore reducing burden for the central government.

Bui Van Manh, Director of the Ninh Binh Department of Tourism, said the province's consistent strategy is to develop green, sustainable and community-based tourism. To realise this goal, it must depend on three main pillars namely local people, businesses and state.

"We have built a specific strategy to carry out the goal gradually. While making investment in tourism, we must respect the natural, cultural and historical values of each locality in a bid to develop sustainable tourism products", Manh added.

Currently, Ninh Binh has stepped up communication work to raise awareness among local people and enterprises of protecting the environment. It has established a model of effective, close cooperation between the State, enterprises and local people in exploiting the nature. In which, the responsible and actively participation of local people is highly acknowledged.

The development of community-based tourism at some popular destinations like Trang An, Tam Coc - Bich Dong and Van Long must ensure the harmony between the environment, landscapes, and tourism. Local people and enterprises benefit from the nature and heritages and they must hold responsible for protecting the nature amd heritages.

While serving tourists, boat rowers at Trang An, Van Long and Tam Coc always prepare waste baskets and remind tourists not to throw trashes into the environment.

The development of green tourism or experience tourism have helped tourists to enjoy and experience daily activities of local people and helped Ninh Binh to revive and develop traditional craft villages such as Kim Son sedge making, Van Lam embroidery village, and Ninh Van stone carving village.

Ninh Binh set a target of welcoming over 5.3 million tourist arrivals in 2023, and earning 5.1 trillion VND (215.5 million USD) in revenue. It has also strived to receive 8 million visitors and earn 8 trillion VND by 2025.

To achieve the targets, the tourism sector will focus on investing synchronic and high-quality technical infrastructure; diversifying tourism products to meet tourists' demand; and launching new tourism products that bears unique and attractive cultural and historical values.

Moreover, the province will enhance cooperation between departments, sectors,localities and enterprises in tourism activities; increase state management of tourism; ensure security, order, food safety and environmental sanitation; and organise regular inspections to promptly handle violations of construction in the core areas of Trang An and other destinations.

Translated by Nguyen Thuy