More tours based on rivers will be developed to boost tourism in the southern province of Bình Dương. — Photo courtesy of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism

HÀ NỘI — More tours based on river routes will be developed in the near future to boost tourism in the southern province of Bình Dương, according to Nguyễn Thanh Phong, deputy director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The department co-operated with the Việt Nam National Administration of Tourism to hold a conference to introduce the tourism potential of the province on Tuesday in Hà Nội.

Phong said the event will help Bình Dương approach people in the capital as well as travel companies.

“Bình Dương is the rendezvous of Sài Gòn, Đồng Nai and Bé rivers creating spectacular landscapes and tourism products along those rivers,” said Phong.

“We are determined that developing river tours is a good strategy for the provincial tourism industry in the near future.”

“Bình Dương is an attractive destination for tourists to relax and enjoy ecological tours,” he said.

“The number of tourists to Bình Dương is increasing each year. The province received 4.55 million and 4.75 million of tourists in 2017 and 2018, respectively.”

Phùng Quang Thắng, vice chairman of the Hà Nội Tourism Association, said travel agents in Hà Nội and the northern region are willing to co-operate with partners in Bình Dương Province.

“This is the first time Bình Dương tourism has been promoted in Hà Nội, proving that the provincial authorities want to open the market to the north,” he said.

“To develop tourism, the province should connect with HCM City, Đồng Nai and Tây Ninh provinces to set up more river tours,” he said.

“People may know about Bình Dương Province as a hub of many industrial zones. Actually, Bình Dương has many famous pagodas like the Hội Khánh Pagoda and Bà Thiên Hậu Temple and traditional festivals such as the boat race on Sài Gòn River.”

Bình Dương is also a destination for golfers with facilities at international championship standards, as well as the Phú Mỹ golf course, the Mekong golf course and the Harmony golf course.

Cheah Kuan Yean, general director of Becamex Hospitality, said the group will work with the province’s leaders to develop wellness tourism.

“We will develop the hotel system and shopping malls to serve tourists to Bình Dương Province because MICE and resort tourism are also rising trends in the region,” he said. — VNS