The 2013 National Tourism Year with the theme “Red River Delta Civilization” hosted by Hai Phong city creates an opportunity for Hai Phong to introduce new tourist products and services, greatly improving the quality of tourist services. In Hai Phong, major events will be held on Do Son and Cat Ba island. These events will focus on introducing some of the unique cultural characteristics of the Red River in general and Hai Phong city in particular. Doan Duy Linh, Director of Hai Phong’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, says: “Hai Phong is imbued with the unique cultural characteristics of the Red River Delta as it is home to several cultural and historical relics, beautiful landscapes, special cuisines, traditional craft villages, and interesting folk games. These are the initial foundation to develop tourism. Hai Phong also has a favorable transport system and is one of the country’s main tourism routes”.

Travel companies in Hai Phong have invested a great deal in upgrading and developing local tourist products. Viettravel Hai Phong has introduced new tours with the theme “Tourism with responsibility for the community and the environment”.  Saigontourist company has strengthened promotional activities in order to introduce Hai Phong and its unique attraction to both domestic and foreign visitors. The company has introduced a set of 8 tours to highlight the beauty and cultural uniqueness of Hai Phong. Ecological tours, community tours, responsible tours, and adventure tours are the most popular in Hai Phong. The Hai Phong-Cat Ba tour is the most attractive one. Bui Trung Nghia, Chairman of Cat Hai district’s People’s Committee, says: “In recent years, adventure tours have become popular on Cat Ba. They are hiking tours in Yen Minh commune and sea diving tours. Hai Phong city has promoted the hiking tours in Yen Minh commune on a large scale. Lan Ha Bay is a good place for boat excursions. Cat Ba has more than 400 boats offering boat excursions”.

Hai Phong city is now busily improving its transport system. Mr. Linh says: “Transportation is one of the major factors in developing tourism. Visitors to Hai Phong can easily go to Cat Ba. It’s a long journey from Hai Phong to Cat Ba, so we are urging transport companies to shorten the journey, especially the time traveling by speedboat from 2 hours to 30 minutes. The ferry will be upgraded to increase its capacity, because the ferry can carry other vehicles”.

In addition to Hai Phong, other localities in the Red River Delta including Hanoi, Hung Yen, Nam Dinh, Thai Binh, and Vinh Phuc have focused on renewing and creating new tourist opportunities. The 2013 National Tourism Year is an opportunity for travel companies to promote their products. Saigontourist Company is promoting tours through Hanoi, Ha Long, Ninh Binh, Cat Ba, Hai Phong and Sa Pa. Viettravel is focusing further on city tours, tours of the country side, the primeval forest on Dau island and island tours.

Hai Phong aims to increase the number of foreign tourists to the city this year by 10%. So far, the number of foreign tourists accounts for between 400,000 and 500,000 tourists among the 3.6 million visitors to the city annually.

Lan Anh