THỪA THIÊN-HUẾ — The tourism sector in central province of Thừa Thiên-Huế expects to receive 4.7 million visitors this year, 45 per cent of which will be foreigners, marking a key contribution to local economy.

According to the local Department of Tourism, the sector expects eight percent more visits than last year, which would provide VNĐ4.9 trillion (US$211 million) in revenue as well as VNĐ13 trillion from tourism-related trade and services.

This year, the province plans to upgrade infrastructure and services at Phú Bài Airport, the only air travel gateway to the locality, as well as wharves at Chân Mây Deep-Sea Port and piers along the Hương (Perfume) River in the former imperial capital city of Huế.

Local authorities will also work with Air Asia and Hai Au Aviation to open direct flights from Thailand to the province. They also plan flight services for sightseeing around Huế.

Hotel services in the province will be boosted by the $368 million Minh Viễn Lăng Cô Resort and the Movenpick Resort Lăng Cô, which offers 52 resort villas along the beach. The two will open in the first quarter of the year in Lăng Cô, which is listed as one of the most beautiful bays in the world.

In February, the province will have firework performances in Huế and Hương Trà District to celebrate the traditional holiday of Tết (Lunar New Year). A total of 1,000 fireworks will be launched, donated by travel agency Vietravel at a cost of VNĐ1 billion.

Nguyễn Văn Phúc, the department’s deputy director, said the sector wished to renew tours to the former citadel built by the Nguyễn Dynasty (1802-1945) as soon as local authorities manage to move the 500 families who have taken residence there outside of the wall system.

Local tourism still relies on the monument, which was built by the Nguyễn Dynasty (1802-1945) and recognised as a world cultural heritage site by UNESCO in 1993. The department has made several plans for renovations, including a double-decker bus system, a tourism mart and a walking bridge along the Hương River, which is set to open on Tuesday afternoon.

Local researchers did not express eagerness for the plans, saying that copying what other cities have would make Huế lose its identity. According to researcher Nguyễn Hữu Thông, the restoration of the old Huế lifestyle and the re-enactment of cultural identities would help draw more visitors to the city.

Last year, the province welcomed 4.3 million visits, an increase of 30 per cent over 2017. The department held two events, the lotus and the lion dance festivals, which helped draw a great deal of visits to Huế during the summer and autumn. — VNS