Advancing Tien Thanh tourist area

Ten years ago …

While the Northern coast of Phan Thiet city was busily welcoming numerous domestic and foreign visitors, the long and beautiful coastline in the South did not draw attention of any tourism investor, although People’s Committee of Phan Thiet city has issued Decision No.43/2008/QD/UBND on approving the planning of Tien Thanh tourist area. At that time, two modest luxury resorts: Thien Thanh and Hon Gio were constructed in Tien Thanh, but they could not maintain operation due to weak provision for essential needs of visitors.

In 2005, 10 years since the event of solar eclipse, Vinh Loc eco-tourist area was established at the end of Tien Thanh commune. With bamboo bungalows bearing rustic countryside styles gathered from the three regions (North, Central and South), freshwater fish ponds to cater visitors with piscatorial hobby, a vast casuarina forest for camping and picnic…, Vinh Loc resort has gradually drawn more and more and  tourists from other regions and abroad. Afterwards, Sao Mai resort, an outdoor tourist area was constructed with modern characteristics. Initially, the resort associated with tour operators in receiving tourists from Ho Chi Minh city, then taking them to Tien Thanh and Lam Dong province.  Slow but sure, Vinh Loc resort and Sao Mai resort have gradually developed and got a foothold in Tien Thanh tourist map until now.

A decade later…

Hitherto, there have been 16 resorts opened in Tien Thanh, fulfilling 59 percent of the total registered projects. The volume of visitors coming to Tien Thanh has been becoming increasingly, especially foreign tourists. In 2013 alone, the number of visitors booked rooms at resorts in Tien Thanh has reached a three-fold increase compared to the previous years.

In various resorts, ranging from Xom Chai Cultural Resort, Sandhills Beach Resort & Spa, Sea Lion Beach Resort & Spa II, Golden Coast Resort & Spa, to Villa Del Sol Beach Villas & Spa…, there are always foreign vacationers. Especially, in peak season for winter escape, number of foreign tourist booking rooms at Tien Thanh has sharply raised (about 60 – 70 percent). Their guests are mainly from Russia, UK, USA, France, Japan and South Korea. Only in the first 4 months of 2013, over 33,000 turns of tourists, including more than 13,000 foreigners visited resorts in Tien Thanh. In which, there were 11,000 visitors making room reservation. Everyday, 60-70 Russian, British and American tourists in average go fishing at Vinh Loc eco-tourist attraction.

What makes Tien Thanh, a fledgling tourist area still facing a lot of difficulties become an attractive destination? Mr. Chau Thai Trang-Executive Director of Xom Chai Cultural Resort shared that: “Retaining guest by an honest manner is a common business motto which is conducted by not only our company, but also by most of other resorts in Tien Thanh. The company’s staffs always serve our guests sincerely and attentively. There is no price hike regardless on peak tourism season. We treat all guests as our relatives”. Furthermore, a number of signs to protect tourists’ lives and properties while they are swimming on the sea or pools are applied by resorts in Tien Thanh. This is a unique convenience that has not carried out in other tourist areas in Binh Thuan yet.

Thanks to these, Tien Thanh tourism has gradually affirmed its brand name through internet. But in comparison with Ham Tien-Mui Ne, Tien Thanh commune is still a remote area with scattered shopping areas, amusement centers and restaurants. Most of tourists’ activities only take place inside the resorts, even at night. Those who need to buy some essential commodities must go to the downtown of Phan Thiet.

Tien Thanh will soon become a developed tourist complex of Phan Thiet if authorities boost investment attraction and improving infrastructures for tourism.

Phuong Lan (Source: Binh Thuan newspaper)