VietNamNet Bridge – Danang City will be developed into the tourism hub of the south-central coast as envisioned in a new master zoning plan for tourism development.

Foreign tourists join a cyclo tour around Danang City. This city is envisaged becoming the tourism hub of the south-central coast as envisioned in a new master zoning plan for tourism development in the region

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has announced the Prime Minister’s decision approving the master zoning plan for tourism development on the south-central coast until 2020 with a vision towards 2030.

The south-central coast covers 44,376 square kilometers and encompasses Danang, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan provinces, heard a conference held in Danang on Tuesday to announce the master zoning plan.

Danang will help drive tourism development of the central coastal sub-region, which comprises Quang Nam, Quang Ngai and Binh Dinh provinces.

In the plan Nha Trang City Province will become the tourism center of the south-central sub-region consisting of Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan provinces. The city in Khanh Hoa Province will serve as a major driver for tourism development in this sub-region.

Priorities will be given to developing tourism products based on resorts and world-recognized cultural heritages.

The south-central coast is expected to attract some 15 million visitors, including 4.5 million international travelers, and post tourism revenue of VND70 trillion (over US$3.2 billion) in 2020. The targets for 2030 will be 25 million guests (including 7.5 million foreign tourists) and VND160 trillion.

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Dang Thi Bich Lien said the new master zoning plan would help the tourism sector of the region make the most of sea and island tourism potential. The ministry hoped tourism will become an important sector in 2020 and a spearhead industry in 2030 in the region.

“The south-central coast plays a very important role in Vietnam’s tourism sector. But tourism development in this region is not sustainable and links among localities are still loose,” Lien said.