Binh Dinh Province in central Vietnam, covering an area of over 6,000 square kilometers with a 134-kilometer-long coastline, has become a rising star in tourism. Known for its scenic landscapes and rich cultural and historical heritage, the province is leveraging innovative promotion strategies and digital transformation to attract visitors.

Thanks to extensive domestic and international promotional campaigns, coupled with hosting world-class events, Binh Dinh expects to welcome 9.2 million visitors in 2024 - a remarkable 83.9% increase from 2023.

This includes nearly 94,000 international arrivals, a 17.3% rise, and 9.1 million domestic tourists, up by 85%. Tourism revenue is estimated at 25.5 trillion VND, a 55.4% increase compared to 2023.

The province’s hospitality sector has also expanded significantly, with over 1,034 accommodation facilities and 19,100 rooms, a sharp increase from 430 facilities and 13,619 rooms in 2023. Among these, 557 establishments meet standards ranging from basic to five-star quality.

Binh Dinh has solidified its position as a hub for major international events, beginning with the ASEAN Clean Tourism City Award 2024 for Quy Nhon City at the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF).

Key events hosted this year include:

·        Amazing Binh Dinh Fest 2024: Featuring the Aquabike World Championship and the F1H2O World Powerboat Championship, the festival attracted 710,000 visitors over 10 days in March. These events brought together 70 athletes from 30 countries, marking the first time such competitions were held in Vietnam.

·        VnExpress Marathon Quy Nhon 2024: From June 21-23, this marathon brought over 8,000 athletes and nearly 30,000 spectators to the province.

·        Teqball World Championship 2024: Hosted in June, the event welcomed 115 athletes from 52 countries, making Quy Nhon the first Asian city to host the global tournament. According to Laszlo Vajda, Secretary General of the International Teqball Federation, this milestone highlights Quy Nhon’s growing stature on the international stage.

Deputy Chairman of the Binh Dinh People's Committee, Lam Hai Giang, emphasized that international sporting events have unlocked new opportunities for Vietnam's marine sports and tourism sectors. By integrating sports with tourism, the province aims to create a unique economic model that sets a precedent for the rest of the country.

Binh Dinh’s focus on sports tourism, along with diverse offerings such as eco-tourism, cultural heritage tourism, and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions), aligns with its goal of becoming a leading tourism economy by 2025.

Building on the success of 2024, the province plans to host a series of high-profile events in 2025, including the return of the Aquabike and F1H2O Championships, an international music festival, and a global golf tournament. These initiatives are expected to further elevate Binh Dinh’s reputation as a premier tourist destination.

“The array of cultural, sports, and tourism events planned for 2025 promises to be another breakthrough year for Binh Dinh,” said Tran Van Thanh, Director of the Department of Tourism.

Dieu Thuy - Nguyen Hien