Ninh Binh sees leap in tourist arrivals during holiday

The tourism sector grossed 114 billion VND (5.4 million USD) in April and the first week of May, according to the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

This year, national Reunification Day (April 30) and May Day (May 1) were joined with the weekend to make up a five-day holiday. The stunning Trang An ecotourism complex, which is dubbed as Vietnam's 'Inland Ha Long Bay', together with the former royal capital of Hoa Lu, the Phat Diem stone cathedral, and the Bai Dinh pagoda - a cluster of Buddhist architectural structures, are among the most popular destinations. Covering an area of nearly 2,000 hectares, the Trang An scenic landscape site is scattered with karst topography such as limestone mountains, caves and lakes. It is seeking the UNESCO recognition as world natural heritage. The province is also gearing for the 2014 United Nations Day of Vesak (the day of Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death) which will begin at the spiritual tourism complex of the Bai Dinh pagoda on May 7-11. The event, the second of its kind hosted in Vietnam, is expected to welcome about 5,000 guests, including 1,500 from 95 countries and territories abroad. The Vesak observation in Hanoi in 2008 drew over 600 Buddhist delegations across the globe.

(Source: VNA)