(VOVWORLD) - Ninh Binh province has many historic and cultural relics and famous tourist attractions, including the Trang An Landscape Complex, which is a natural as well as cultural heritage. The province will host National Tourism Year in 2020.
There are traces of Vietnam’s ancient Trang An, Hoa Binh, and Da But cultures in Ninh Binh.
 Phuc Khai pagoda at the Trang An Landscape Complex (Photo: Ngoc Anh) |
Hoa Lu was Vietnam’s ancient capital during the 10th and 11th century. This special national relic includes 47 sites, including the tombs of Dinh and Le Kings, a memorial house of King Ly Thai To, Hoa Lu cave, Ma Yen mountain, Sao Khe river and Hoa Lu ancient pagoda. Non Nuoc Mountain, a complex of historical sites and scenic spots, is another special national relic. Three national treasures currently kept in Ninh Binh are a stone pillar carved with Buddhist scriptures at Nhat Tru pagoda, and two royal stone beds at the temple honoring King Dinh Tien Hoang.
Bui Van Manh, Deputy Director of the Ninh Binh provincial Department of Tourism, said: “Ninh Binh province has 1,499 historical and cultural relics and 260 festivals, and a great potential for tourism development. The Hoa Lu Ancient Capital and the Trang An Complex are the core attractions. Throughout National Tourism Year 2020 we will promote Ninh Binh tourism via cultural and sports events and festivals.”
There are more than 300 intangible cultural heritages in Ninh Binh province. The Hoa Lu festival is the most notable. It has been officially recognized as a national intangible heritage and attracts millions of people every year. There are also festivals at Thai Vi temple, Bai Dinh pagoda, and Nguyen Cong Tru temple.
 Visitors take boat trip around Trang An scenic spot. (Photo: Ngoc Anh) |
Nguyen Thi Hong Hanh, a tourist from Hanoi, told VOV: “I am most impressed with the Trang An Complex, which features a beautiful natural landscape of rivers and mountains and rich flora and fauna. I also love the Hoa Lu ancient capital and Bai Dinh pagoda, which currently holds several records, including the biggest bronze statue of Shakyamuni Buddha in Asia, the longest corridor of Arhat statues in Asia with 500 stone Arhat statues, and the biggest Mitreya Buddha bronze statue in Vietnam. I’ve found many other beautiful spots: Phat Diem stone cathedral, Cuc Phuong National Park, Long Van Natural Reserve, and Thung Nham bird garden.”
Throughout National Tourism Year 2020, Ninh Binh province will host 27 key events: an opening ceremony, the Bai Dinh pagoda festival, the Hoa Lu festival, the Trang An festival, an art program involving Vietnamese localities that have world heritages, and a beauty contest. 11 other events will be organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, and 79 events will be held by 24 other provinces as part of the National Tourism Year.
 Thung Nham bird garden (Photo: Ngoc Anh) |
Hoang Binh Minh, Director of the Ninh Binh Tourism Services Joint Stock Company, said: “Ninh Binh boasts beautiful landscapes and scenic spots rich in culture and history. With this potential, we are confident that National Tourism Year 2020 will be a success. We will be hosting many events and operating new tours connecting Ninh Binh’s tourism products.”
National Tourism Year 2020 will be a breakthrough for Ninh Binh tourism. Last year, the province welcomed 7.6 million tourists, 970,000 of them foreigners. This year it hopes to host 7.8 million visitors, one million of them foreigners.