Trang An tourism complex – a boost to Ninh Binh tourism

The northern province of Ninh Binh is expecting a sustainable boost in tourism following the recognition of Trang An Tourism Complex in the province as a world cultural and natural heritage site by UNESCO in June this year.

As of the end of July, the province welcomed nearly 3.5 million visitors.

Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Bui Van Thang said in the future, the complex will serve as an important gateway to link destinations in Ninh Binh with those in the Red River Delta and the northern coastal region.

Local authorities have built a heritage management plan in line with the instructions of the UNESCO, while working with the ministries of construction, culture, sport and tourism on a master plan for the complex, creating a legal ground for the management of activities relating to investment, construction, conservation and tourism.

The province expects to join the 2015 National Tourism Year on the theme of connecting World Heritage sites in the country.

Covering an area of over 6,000 hectares, Trang An consists of the Hoa Lu ancient citadel, Trang An-Tam Coc-Bich Dong natural scenic site, and the Hoa Lu primeval forest. The complex is often called Viet Nam's Ha Long Bay on land.

The lyric and picturesque landscape of Trang An is a harmonic combination of mountains, valleys and lakes with numerous caves inside stunning limestone karst mountain ranges.

Moreover, it is surrounded by primary forests with variety of floral and fauna systems, including 310 types of tracheophyta, over 30 animals, 50 types of birds, reptiles, especially rare animals like Capricornis sumatraensis, Neofelis nebulosa and white chest gibbon.

The area is a cradle of civilisation of ancient Viet Nam, and also used to house the ancient capital of Viet Nam, Hoa Lu, more than 1,000 years ago. The site boasts 47 historical relics.