Binh Thuan targets at sustainable and smart Tourism

Mui Ne - Phan Thiet has been recognized as one of the top 10 tourist destinations in Vietnam, which has helped Binh Thuan attract a large number of tourists each year, with tourism revenue estimated to reach 11.3 trillion VND in 2023, an increase of 70% compared to the previous year. However, to maintain and develop the tourism brand of Binh Thuan in the 4.0 era, the locality needs to undergo a transformation towards a smart and sustainable tourism model in the future.

Approximately 30 Years of Building a “Tourism Legacy”

The total solar eclipse on October 24, 1995, marked a significant turning point for Binh Thuan tourism, especially for Mui Ne. Thanks to its ideal location for observing this fascinating natural phenomenon, Mui Ne attracted tens of thousands of domestic and international tourists, transforming the area from a pristine beach into a famous destination on the global tourism map. At that time, there were only a few guesthouses, but after the event, the tourism sector began to boom, with many investors seeking business opportunities. Within just 10 years, by 2005, the Ham Tien-Mui Ne tourist area was dubbed the “resort capital of Vietnam.”

After Mui Ne - Phan Thiet was recognized as a national tourist area, in 2023, Binh Thuan tourism began to “rise” strongly, with an average growth rate of about 31.3% per year, significantly contributing to the province’s GRDP. The tourism sector is expected to attract 9 million visitors by 2025 and 14 million visitors by 2030. Improvements in service quality and accommodation have also attracted a large number of tourists, helping the province gradually become a key tourism destination. Notably, high-end resort complexes are also being developed, enhancing the experience for visitors. Large tourism projects such as NovaWorld Phan Thiet not only increase the attractiveness of the destination but also create many job opportunities for local residents, contributing to the socio-economic development of the province.

The Mui Ne tourist area in Phan Thiet has received many positive reviews from international media and tourism experts. Recently, an international Farmtrip delegation surveyed tourism products and services in Binh Thuan, coming from countries such as China, Germany, and Australia. The representatives in the delegation expressed their good impressions of Binh Thuan’s natural resources, culture, and people. They praised the tourism services and experiences at famous sites like Bau Trang and NovaWorld Phan Thiet, affirming that this is a place with great tourism development potential. Additionally, thanks to investments in transportation infrastructure such as the Ho Chi Minh City – Long Thanh – Dau Giay expressway and the upcoming Phan Thiet airport, traveling here will become easier, attracting a large number of international tourists.

Mui Ne is also highly ranked in several international tourism rankings. Recently, according to a study by Bounce, a hospitality service company, Mui Ne is one of the best beaches in Asia, ranking 9th in the list of the top 10 beaches in the world, with a score of 5.84. The strength of Mui Ne lies in its average hotel price of only 54.12 USD per night and an average water temperature of 26.5 degrees Celsius, along with a rich variety of restaurants for tourists to choose from.

Towards Sustainable and Smart Tourism

However, experts also warn about the limitations and issues arising from the development of Binh Thuan tourism in a “traditional old-fashioned” manner, characterized by “concreting and urbanization” of mass tourism, with many construction projects encroaching on beach spaces and environmental issues stemming from ineffective waste management. This highlights the necessity to manage and develop Binh Thuan tourism in a sustainable and smart direction to enhance its appeal to visitors.

To ensure the sustainable development of tourism in Binh Thuan, the tourism sector and local authorities need to implement several important solutions. First, the tourism sector should focus on diversifying tourism products and improving service quality to attract returning visitors and increase their length of stay. Emphasis should be placed on developing environmentally friendly tourism types, such as ecotourism and rural tourism. Ensuring food safety at tourism service establishments is also crucial. The tourism sector needs to plan community education programs for both locals and tourists on environmental protection and friendly cultural behavior. Local authorities should strengthen environmental management efforts, enhance waste control, and address both coastal and ocean waste issues.

Regarding smart tourism, this is an emerging trend that combines information and communication technology in the management of tourism destinations to enhance service efficiency and visitor experiences.

To develop smart tourism, Binh Thuan needs to undergo digital transformation through several key solutions. First, it should build and develop a smart tourism portal that provides comprehensive information about destinations, products, and tourism services. This will be implemented alongside the application of information technology, such as QR codes at attractions, allowing tourists to easily access information via mobile devices. Additionally, tourism businesses should focus on investing in digital platforms such as electronic trading platforms and mobile applications for tourists. These applications should enhance the customer experience while effectively managing tourism information.

Finally, to successfully promote digital transformation, there needs to be significant investment in information technology infrastructure and training for personnel, helping them to access and operate new technologies. All these efforts aim to turn Binh Thuan into an attractive and modern destination in the context of international tourism development.