NUMBERS ARE UP: The Forestival Creative Music Festival 2025 will bring together an impressive number of renowned artists. — Photo vov2.vov.vn

NINH BÌNH — Artists Hà Anh Tuấn, Đen Vâu, Vũ Cát Tường, Phan Mạnh Quỳnh, Quang Hùng MasterD, a long side several other well-known performers, are set to take the stage at the Forestival Creative Music Festival 2025.

The event will take place on May 31 at Khê Cốc Island, Tràng An, the northern province of Ninh Bình.

The line up of stars was revealed during a press conference, unveiling the 'Heart of Heritage' project and the Forestival Creative Music Festival 2025.

The event, part of the Ninh Bình Tourism Promotion Programme, was jointly held by the Ninh Bình Department of Tourism and the HCM City Department of Tourism.

The Ninh Bình Tourism Promotion Conference 2025 in HCM City aims to promote distinctive tourism products of the region in addition to boosting the global economic value of the Tràng An scenic landscape complex.

The event seeks to engage tourism businesses in HCM City and surrounding provinces, while showcasing key tourism activities and events in Ninh Bình this year to attract visitors.

It also provides a platform for business networking, investment insights and tourism development trends.

AT PEACE IN THE PROVINCE: Bái Đính Pagoda in Ninh Bình Province. — Photo vietnamtourism.gov.vn

According to the director of the Ninh Bình Department of Tourism, Bùi Văn Mạnh, in 2024, Ninh Bình witnessed a significant surge in visitor numbers, welcoming 8.7 million tourists, an increase of 30 per cent compared to 2023. This included 1.5 million international visitors, marking a remarkable 221 per cent growth from the previous year.

The province continues to receive high praise and prestigious awards from international organisations and travel platforms, earning accolades including being the Top 10 Most Captivating Experiences of 2024, the Top 10 Friendliest Destinations in the World, intriguingly the Top 10 Wonders for Those Who Dislike Crowds and One of the World's Most Influential Travel Destinations.

In the first quarter of 2025, Ninh Bình continued to record positive visitor signals welcoming 4.4 million guests, of which 516 thousand were international while tourism revenue reached more than VNĐ5,100 billion (about US$200 million).

By 2035, it aims to become a centrally-governed city, a millennium heritage urban area, a centre of tourism, creativity and a heritage economy of the country and the Asia-Pacific region, Mạnh said.

WINNING WATER WAYS: Ninh Bình Province has received high praise and prestigious awards from international organisations and travel platforms. — Photo khamphaninhbinh.vn

He said the provincial tourism sector will continuously innovate and develop unique cultural tourism products that highlight the distinct heritage of Hoa Lư Ancient Capital. To achieve this, the tourism department has advised the provincial government to implement a comprehensive tourism development plan through to 2030. This includes leveraging local knowledge to create new tourism products, building a strong tourism brand and ensuring a professional, safe, and culturally rich, tourism environment.

During the event, organisers introduced a series of major cultural and tourism activities scheduled in Ninh Bình for 2025, including the Hoa Lư Festival, Tràng An Festival, the Legends and Heritage Programme, Ninh Bình Tourism Week 2025, which is themed 'Golden Season of Tam Cốc – Trang An'.

GROWING APPEAL: Ninh Bình Province last year witnessed a significant surge in visitor numbers, welcoming 8.7 million tourists. — Photo vietourist.com.vn

Notably, for the first time, the 'Heart of Heritage' project and the Forestival Creative Music Festival will be held at the Tràng An Scenic Landscape Complex in Ninh Bình.

The event features two main components: the Creative Week and the Tràng An – Ninh Binh Forestival Music Festival. This grand music festival will bring together an impressive list of renowned artists including Hà Anh Tuấn, Đen Vau, Vũ Cát Tường, Phan Mạnh Quỳnh, R&B star Tlinh, Hoàng Dũng, Quang Hùng MasterD, rock band Chillies and DJ 2pillz.

Director and Chairman of Viet Vision Media, Entertainment, and Creative Company, Cao Trung Hiếu, said that the Heart of Heritage programme is more than just a cultural and artistic project. It carries a dual mission - to unlock the tourism potential of this historically rich land while honouring the heritage and cultural values that have been preserved for generations.

According to the organisers, all ticket sale profits from the Forestival Creative Music Festival 2025 will be allocated to support organisations and projects dedicated to nature, culture and heritage conservation across the country. — VNS

FALLING IN LOVE WITH THE AREA: Tràng An at the autumn. — Photo vietourist.com.vn