The nomination comes as the province reports record tourism growth. Officials say Ninh Bình welcomed an estimated 18.7 million visitors during the first seven months of this year, a 23 percent increase from a year earlier, generating tourism revenue of nearly 19 trillion Vietnamese dong, or about 731 million U.S. dollars.
Local authorities say the international recognition could further raise Ninh Bình's global profile, attract more visitors and investment, and support its goal of building a greener and more sustainable tourism industry.
