HCM CITY — The People’s Committee in the Mekong Delta province of Kiên Giang has recognised the Nam Du Archipelago and Lại Sơn Island in Kiên Hải District and Hải Tặc Archipelago in Hà Tiên Town as local tourist zones.

The recognition aims to promote the development of marine and coastal tourism, attract investment in the tourism industry, and lure more tourists to the islands.

It is expected to enhance the preservation and protection of tourism resources and the environment on the islands.

To be recognised as a local tourist zone, places must have an area of 200 hectares or more and be rich in tourism resources. Its tourism infrastructure and services should be capable of serving at least 100,000 tourist arrivals every year.

The People’s Committee ordered the provincial Department of Tourism and local authorities to step up investment promotion and tourism development in the three newly recognised tourist zones. 

Printed materials such as brochures, flyers and leaflets will be issued to provide information on the tourist zones.   

The Nam Du Archipelago consists of 21 islands that stretch for an area of more than 901 hectares in the two communes of An Sơn and Nam Du.

Lại Sơn Island, with an area of more than 1,082 hectares, is the biggest island among the 23 islands in Kiên Hải District.

The Hải Tặc Archipelago, with an area of more than 251 hectares, consists of 18 islands.

Every year, hundreds of thousands of tourists visit the islands to explore scenic beauty, pristine, white-sand beaches, dense tropical jungle, and fresh seafood.

Kiên Giang Province targets 7.1 million tourist arrivals this year, up 16.8 per cent compared to last year.

The province’s tourism revenue is projected to rise 28.8 per cent year-on-year to reach VNĐ5.9 trillion (US$259.34 million) this year.

Last year, the province received more than 6 million tourists, including more than 368,200 foreigners.

Phú Quốc Island, Nam Du Archipelago, Hải Tặc Archipelago and Bà Lụa Archipelago attract thousands of tourists each year. —VNS