Ninh Binh – On May 8–9, 2025, in Hoa Lu City, Ninh Binh Province, the seminar titled “Turning Cultural Industries into a Lever for Ninh Binh Tourism to Take Off” took place. The event was organized by Tien Phong Newspaper in collaboration with the People’s Committee of Ninh Binh Province and the Ninh Binh Department of Tourism, under the direction of the Ninh Binh Provincial Party Committee.

The seminar received the attention and participation of Mr. Doan Minh Huan, Member of the Party Central Committee and Secretary of the Ninh Binh Provincial Party Committee; Ms. Trinh Thi Thuy, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism; as well as leaders from the Provincial Party Committee and the People's Committee of Ninh Binh Province.

It also attracted numerous guests including leaders from departments, institutes under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism; experts; associations; businesses operating in the cultural and tourism industries; and leaders from the Departments of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Quang Binh, Nam Dinh, Hanoi, Ha Nam, Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, and Nghe An, along with many representatives from Ninh Binh.

In recent years, Ninh Binh tourism has achieved remarkable success, affirming its position as one of the top destinations in Vietnam and the region, with impressive growth year after year.

In 2024, Ninh Binh welcomed about 8.7 million visitors, a 30% increase compared to 2023. Of these, international visitors accounted for 1.5 million, up 221% year-on-year. Total tourism revenue is estimated at over VND 9,100 billion, an increase of 40.15% compared to 2023 and 148% compared to 2019 (the peak year before the COVID-19 pandemic). In the first four months of 2025 alone, the province is estimated to have welcomed 5.6 million visitors, a 13% year-on-year increase. Revenue is estimated at over VND 6,056 billion, a 31% rise.

Ninh Binh has also been recognized in many prestigious international rankings, such as the “Top 10 World Wonders for Those Who Dislike Crowds” by Forbes Magazine, and the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex being awarded “World Influential Destination” by the Kotler Award.

Ninh Binh’s tourism products are increasingly diverse, encompassing eco-tourism, spiritual tourism, historical-cultural tourism, agricultural tourism, and community-based tourism. Tourism infrastructure has been comprehensively invested in, including transportation routes and accommodation facilities. Tourism service centers have been expanded and upgraded to meet the increasing needs of visitors.

Alongside tourism, Ninh Binh places special emphasis on the cultural industry, recognizing it as a key driver that adds value and depth to the tourism experience.

On February 28, 2025, the Provincial Party Executive Committee issued Resolution No. 22-NQ/TU on the development of cultural industries in Ninh Binh Province for the 2025–2035 period, with a vision to 2050. The goal is to make Ninh Binh a regional and national hub for cultural industries, integrated with tourism as a spearhead economic sector.

Mr. Nguyen Cao Son, Vice Chairman of the Ninh Binh Provincial People's Committee, shared at the seminar:

“The cultural industry is not only a means of enriching national identity, but also a new economic driver. Developing the cultural industry and tourism in a synchronized manner will create a breakthrough in economic restructuring, contributing to enhancing the image and position of Ninh Binh on the world tourism map. We are committed to facilitating favorable policies, investment procedures, and a creative environment for businesses, organizations, and individuals to actively participate in developing the cultural and tourism industries locally.”

Journalist Phung Cong Suong, Editor-in-Chief of Tien Phong Newspaper, stated at the seminar:

“Cultural industry is not only a product of creativity but also a bridge between the past and present, between people and values. When cultural industry is integrated and developed alongside tourism, we are not just selling landscapes but also telling stories, showcasing identities, and conveying the soul of a land. This is how Ninh Binh becomes distinctive, unique, and memorable in the hearts of visitors.”

At the seminar, participants shared and exchanged a wealth of ideas, effective solutions, and creative initiatives for developing cultural industries in tandem with tourism — not only for Ninh Binh but also as a model to be replicated in other localities.

The seminar details and presentations were broadcast live on Tienphong.vn, and livestreamed via the Tien Phong Newspaper Fanpage and Tien Phong YouTube Channel. Members of the press are invited to scan the QR code to receive the seminar materials.