Driving force for sustainable tourism development

Quang Ninh currently has 8 special national relics: Ha Long Bay scenic spot, Bach Dang historical relic site, Yen Tu historical relic and scenic spot, Tran Dynasty historical relic site, Cua Ong - Cap Tien temple historical relic site, President Ho Chi Minh memorial site on Co To island, Van Don commercial port and Tra Co communal house architectural and artistic relic.

Ha Long Bay is the first special national monument recognized by Vietnam in 2009.

Special national monuments not only create development momentum for the localities where they are present, but also contribute to strongly promoting the economy of the whole province, especially in the field of tourism. A typical example is the World Natural Heritage Ha Long Bay. According to Decision No. 1272/QD-TTg dated August 12, 2009 of the Prime Minister, Ha Long Bay, along with 8 other monuments across the country, are the first special national monuments recognized in Vietnam.

The title of special national relic is not only a title affirming the unique, typical, irreplaceable value of Ha Long Bay in the treasure trove of Vietnamese heritage, but also creates a legal basis for prioritizing investment, preservation, and restoration of the ecosystem and cultural values on the bay. Mr. Vu Kien Cuong, Head of Ha Long Bay Management Board, said that over the past 30 years (1994-2024), there have been over 56.3 million visitors to Ha Long Bay. According to Mr. Nguyen Van Tuan, former General Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism , Ha Long Bay not only creates a boom in tourism in Quang Ninh, but also creates a driving force for the economy of the whole province.

Special national monuments with UNESCO titles such as Ha Long Bay have a value of being widely promoted globally, are known and visited by many international tourists, are a magnet attracting visitors to Quang Ninh, Vietnam and are a destination that cannot be missed by tourists on their international travel itinerary. Yen Tu relic and scenic area is currently one of the special national monuments of Quang Ninh located in the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac relic and scenic complex, which is being submitted to UNESCO for recognition as a World Heritage Site, and is also expected to welcome a significant increase in the number of tourists compared to the present.

Tourists worship at Dong Pagoda (Yen Tu) in spring.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung emphasized: Every time UNESCO announces a list, it is a free global advertisement, bringing new access. Thousands of people may hear the names of these places for the first time and make an effort to explore them or add these new places to their travel lists.

Every year, Yen Tu relic and scenic area welcomes more than 1 million visitors to visit and worship, and if recognized as a world heritage, this "2 in 1" heritage will be elevated and expected to welcome many times more visitors. First of all, Yen Tu ward, where the relic is present, will benefit, followed by the neighboring community. Especially, the opportunity to connect the two special national relics Ha Long - Yen Tu to create a diverse tourist itinerary, with a continuous experience from beautiful nature with spectacular geological and geomorphological values to unique cultural values, opening up a journey to find the birthplace of Truc Lam Zen sect with a strong Vietnamese identity.

Apart from Ha Long and Yen Tu, the remaining special national relics of Quang Ninh do not receive up to 1 million visitors each year. Although the number of visitors is still modest compared to the potential and unique cultural and historical values of the relics, it should be noted that all of these relics have been researched, their values identified, listed, and specially protected at the highest level of the country. Maintaining and doing well the work of cultural conservation, linking tangible cultural heritage with intangible cultural heritage at these relics to enrich their cultural values is the first step, creating a premise for Quang Ninh to conduct further research and build unique and distinctive tourism products in the future. The special national relics with recognized values have been, are, and will be invaluable treasures for Quang Ninh to develop its heritage economy in a sustainable manner.

Dr. Tran Duc Nguyen, Head of the Department of Cultural Heritage, Hanoi University of Culture: The income level of each household has improved and increased significantly.

We can absolutely believe that the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son and Kiep Bac Monuments and Landscape Complex will be worthy of being listed on the World Heritage List in the near future. This title will be an important foundation for conservation work associated with sustainable development in the three localities with heritage, including Quang Ninh. We can expect a positive shift in employment and income for people in the heritage area. In fact, in many heritage areas across the country, when the heritage is recognized, people have shifted from farming and handicrafts to tourism activities such as boating, service provision, production, souvenir sales, etc. The income of each household has changed in a positive direction, and life has improved significantly.

Prof. Dr. Tran Thanh Hai, Principal of University of Mining and Geology: Geotourism is one of the important solutions for the sustainable development of Ha Long Bay.

Geotourism is one of the important solutions for the sustainable development of Ha Long Bay through promoting the conservation of natural resources, including geological heritage, protecting the environment and ecosystem, linking forms of tourism, education and raising awareness of the Earth, improving the lives of the community, establishing a tourism management system, and managing heritage synchronously and effectively. Thus, geotourism has a positive impact on socio-economic development, especially in remote areas, while at the same time effectively preserving heritage and protecting the environment. Establishing and developing geotourism as well as a system of geoparks are considered effective measures to protect and preserve geological heritage, including Ha Long Bay.

Mai Phuong Anh, a student at Tran Quoc Toan Secondary School, Ha Long Ward : The trip left me with many unforgettable emotions, helping me love history more and be more proud of national traditions.

Through the journey of visiting and experiencing the Bach Dang National Special Relic Site, I understand more why our ancestors were able to defeat the powerful invading armies. This place is not only a battlefield but also a symbol of patriotism, intelligence and indomitable will. When standing in front of the historic Bach Dang River, I can imagine the scene of wooden stakes stuck underwater, the Tran Dynasty soldiers and people coordinating harmoniously to defeat the invaders. The trip has left me with many unforgettable emotions, helping me love history more, and be more proud of the national tradition. I hope to have the opportunity to return here many more times to learn more deeply about the heroic history of our nation.

Mr. Le Viet Duc, CEO of Bhaya Ha Long Cruise Company : We see great potential in retelling the story of the once bustling commercial port.

The ancient Van Don trading port is a relic of special historical, cultural, economic and military value, clearly demonstrating the early maritime economic thinking of our ancestors. This is one of the two outstanding values of tourism in Bai Tu Long Bay, next to Bai Tu Long National Park with its rich and pristine ecosystem. We see great potential in retelling the story of the once bustling trading port, which once welcomed merchant ships from all over the world. From there, it is possible to develop experiential tourism products such as: Visiting the vestiges of the ancient port, recreating the ancient market, diving for relics on the seabed, cruising along ancient trade routes... These products not only arouse curiosity, but also bring a unique identity to Bai Tu Long tourism.

Dao Linh

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/dong-luc-cho-du-lich-phat-trien-ben-vung-3364976.html