NATIONAL ECONOMICS UNIVERSITY

PROFESSION - ORIENTED HIGHER EDUCATION

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INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT
Survey Report on Tourist Destinations in Ninh Binh

Lecturer: Ms. Hoang Thi Thu Huong

Student: Nguyen Nhu Dong
Student ID: 11221340

Ha Noi, October 2024

 COMMITMENT
I so certify that this report is wholly original with no fabrication or copies from
anyone. This based on my real pratical experience I achieved while traveling with
Ms. Thu Huong’s supervision.
If there are any issues, I accept that I am fully responsibility and will comply
with with any disciplinary measures taken by the Faculty of Tourism and the
National Economics University.
 INTRODUCTION
Ninh Binh is known as a popular tourist destination in Vietnam and a UNESCO
World Heritage Site. Both local and foreign tourists are drawn to well known
locations including Bai Dinh Pagoda, Tam Coc – Bich Dong, and Trang An.
In addition to discussing issues with this destination management and marketing,
this report attempts to examine the elements that contribute to Ninh Binh’s allure.
It will offer suggestions for the growth of sustainable tourism, improving the
experiences of tourists while protecting the environment and cultural heritage.
By applying theoretical knowledge to actual tourism operations, the field trip
gives us practical insights into destination management and prepares them for
jobs in the field.
 CHAPTER 1: Analysis and evaluation of 6 basic components of Ninh Binh
The ancient capital of Hoa Lu, which still contains remnants of the Dinh and Ly
dynasties, is one of the many significant historical and architectural artifacts
found in Ninh Binh in addition to its natural beauty. With its festivals, craft
towns, and delectable food, Ninh Binh's traditional culture is especially
distinctive. Specialties like scorched rice, mountain goat, and Kim Son wine are
available to visitors, adding a distinctive culinary experience to every
exploration. A well-invested infrastructure system allows for the professional
organization of tourism services, including tour guides, transportation, dining,
and shopping, which provides visitors with convenience and satisfaction. In
addition to being a venue for tourists, Ninh Binh is a place to study Vietnamese
history and culture.
1.1. Geographical location features
The Northern Delta province of Ninh Binh is located roughly 93 kilometers south
of the capital, Hanoi. Ninh Binh enjoys a strategic location between Thanh Hoa
and Hai Duong, which allows it to connect with nearby provinces like Ha Nam.
This region is renowned for its breathtaking natural scenery, which includes
surrounding rice fields, rivers, and limestone mountains.
1.2. Terrain and Climate
The landscape of Ninh Binh is divided into three main areas: hilly, plain, and
coastal. It is situated at the tip of the bottom border of the Red River Delta
triangle, next to the East Sea, and at the intersection of the Red River Delta and
the western sedimentary rock strip.
The climate in Ninh Binh is tropical and monsoon. There are four distinct
seasons in the year: spring, summer, fall, and winter. Approximately 24 degrees
Celsius is the average annual temperature. The average annual rainfall exceeds
2000 mm, and the total temperature approaches 8500 degrees Celsius. The dry
season, which has minimal rain and cold, dry weather, lasts from December of
the previous year to April of the following year.
1.3. Access Point - Tourism infrastructure
Transportation network: With easy access to highways from Hanoi and nearby
provinces, Ninh Binh boasts a well-developed transportation network.
Additionally, tourists can get to well-known tourist destinations by bus, tram, or
boat.
Communication system: Tourists may readily communicate with the outside
world because to the ever-improving internet, telecommunications, and modern
media services.
Roads to tourist destinations: Ninh Binh is connected to Hanoi and other tourist
destinations by major roadways such National Highway 1A and expressways.
The roads leading to Tam Coc and Trang An, two popular tourist destinations,
are improved.
Tourist destinations: By investing in state-of-the-art infrastructure, tourist
destinations like Tam Coc and Trang An have made sure that tourists have an
amazing time touring.
1.4. On-site support services
At many kind of destination like Tuyet Tinh Coc or Trang An, there are several
guides who are available support and lead the travellers to know more about
these cultural area in Ninh Binh. Beside, they also have enough experience and
capacity to instruct the foreigners or locals. For example, in this tour to Trang
An, the guides on site always suggest us to some beauty landscape for photo
taking and they also communicate fluently with the foreigners too.
Beside that, Transportation services and Food and Beverage service are also
exciting in each destination in Ninh Binh. First, due to their safety, comfort,
mode of transportation including electric cars or boats for sightseeing –
particularly in Trang An – well valued. Second, there are several traditional
eateries which are near tourism destinations like mountain goat, scorched rice,….
1.5. Service provider
Organization and management: The Department of Tourism, regional travel
agencies, and heritage management groups are among the entities offering
tourism services in Ninh Binh. These organizations are crucial to the
development and administration of eco-friendly travel.
Besides, tour guides, ticket agents, security personnel, drivers, and other
employees who provide tourism services are examples of functional departments.
Every department has specific responsibilities and adds to the overall caliber of
services.
1.6. Resource value
There are several value in Ninh Binh destinations including history, culture,
architecture.
Historical value: Ninh Binh is a popular destination for history and culture buffs
because of its historical remains, which include the ancient capital of Hoa Lu,
temples, pagodas, and historical landmarks.
Cultural value: With celebrations like the Bai Dinh Pagoda Festival, traditional
craft villages, and practices that are particular of the locals, Ninh Binh boasts a
distinctive culture.
Architectural value: Temples, pagodas, and mausoleums are examples of Ninh
Binh's architecture, which reflects the influence of feudal regimes and aids
tourists in understanding Vietnamese history and culture.
 Chapter 2: Present some current outstanding issues in terms of destination
management and marketing of Ninh Binh destination.
2.1. Current Issues in Ninh Binh Destination Management and Marketing
Current Problems with Marketing and Destination Management in Ninh Binh
Pollution of the environment and ecological stress: The ecosystem is severely
strained by the high volume of visitors during the busiest time of year,
particularly in places like Tam Coc and Trang An. Concerns include trash, noise,
and the deterioration of natural environments.
Absence of a digitization plan and technology implementation: While other travel
destinations are implementing new technologies to improve the visitor
experience, Ninh Binh has not successfully implemented virtual reality
technology, smart tourism applications, or digital experiences for visitors.
Limitations in international cooperation: There aren't many campaigns to develop
the foreign tourist market by collaborating with international travel agencies and
global tourism organizations, and Ninh Binh's image promotion in the
international market is still limited.
2.2. Benefits of Ninh Binh's Marketing and Management Approach
Superb brand: Ninh Binh has established a powerful brand called "Ha Long on
land" thanks to Trang An's UNESCO World Heritage designation. This
contributes to greater recognition and draws a lot of both domestic and foreign
tourists.
Creating a variety of tourism products: The province has created a variety of
tourism products, including community, cultural, and eco-tourism. These events
draw guests from a wide range of demographics and contribute to the creation of
distinctive experiences.
Invested infrastructure: Visitors may now enjoy convenience and positive
experiences thanks to major improvements made to Ninh Binh's transit system,
tourism attractions, and lodging options.
2.3. Limitations in Ninh Binh's Management and Marketing Strategy
Insufficient distinction in marketing plan: At the moment, Ninh Binh lacks a
distinctive destination marketing strategy that emphasizes a distinct message to
differentiate itself from other travel destinations. Major events or conferences are
the primary means of promotion; modern media like social networks, smartphone
apps, and virtual reality technologies have not yet been utilized.
Unsynchronized service management: Despite investments in infrastructure,
several tourist destinations have inconsistent service quality. The experience of
visitors has been impacted in certain places by inadequate public sanitation
facilities and a shortage of qualified tour operators.
Dependency on peak seasons: Ninh Binh tourism continues to be highly reliant
on peak seasons, with services and visitor numbers drastically declining during
off-peak times. This results in inefficiencies during the off-peak hours and
overload during the peak travel season.
2.4. Orientation to Improve Ninh Binh Destination
Marketing and Management Ninh Binh can do the following to increase the
efficacy of destination management and marketing:
Create a distinctive marketing plan, set yourself apart, and make extensive use of
nature's and culture's traits.
Invest in smart tourist apps and digital technologies, such as online experience
tools, virtual tour guides, and tourism applications.
Encourage green tourism, provide sustainable tours, improve environmental
management, and increase public understanding of the need to preserve natural
areas.
Increase international collaboration and work with overseas partners to market
and draw tourists from around the world.
CHAPTER 3: Proposed Solutions for Developing and Exploiting Ninh Binh
Tourism Destination
There must be synchronous solutions to preserve resources, improve visitor
experiences, and grow the market in order to promote and utilize Ninh Binh as a
tourism destination.
3.1. Strengthen Marketing and Trade Promotion
Create a distinctive travel brand for Ninh Binh: Create a compelling marketing
message that highlights Ninh Binh's distinctive natural assets and cultural
characteristics. Boost digital communication efforts and create high-quality
advertising material for travel websites, mobile applications, and social media
platforms.
Create programs for foreign promotion: In order to showcase Ninh Binh to the
world market, increase collaboration with foreign tourism organizations and take
part in international events and tourism fairs.
Create connections with both domestic and international travel agencies: Create
opportunities for foreign tourists to learn more about Ninh Binh by collaborating
with major travel agencies to incorporate Ninh Binh into well-liked trip
itineraries.
3.2. Applying Technology in Tourism
Development and Management Using digital tourism maps and mobile
applications: Developing a tourism app that lets users search for information,
purchase tickets, get alerts, and recommend appropriate activities. For the
convenience of visitors from other countries, the application can also offer
information in multiple languages.
Using technologies for augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR): creating
VR and AR experiences that allow tourists to virtually explore distinctive
ecosystems and historical landmarks, encouraging tourists to learn more and
make travel plans to Ninh Binh.
Making use of tourism data utilizing data analysis to track visitor patterns and
examine travel seasons in order to develop suitable policies and marketing
campaigns.
3.3. Training and Capacity Building for Tourism Staff
Training in skills for service personnel and tour guides: To better serve the
demands of foreign visitors, enhance training programs in communication skills,
local history and culture, and foreign language proficiency.
 Chapter 4: The Significance of Practical Activity in Destination
Management for Students
Students gain greatly from Ninh Binh's practical destination management
exercises, which not only enable them to put their knowledge into practice but
also deepen their comprehension of tourist management. Students have a great
chance to investigate the subject's practical applications, gain knowledge from
real-world settings, and hone the abilities they'll need for future employment.
4.1. Understanding the Current Situation and Potential of Ninh Binh
Students can delve deeper into Ninh Binh's distinctive cultural, historical, and
ecological values—such as Tam Coc-Bich Dong and Trang An—during the tour.
In addition to teaching students how to take advantage of tourism resources, this
local knowledge also helps them learn more about how history and culture draw
tourists. Through improved comprehension of marketing tactics and destination
management, they would be able to comprehend the plans and initiatives that
Ninh Binh has been using to draw tourists.
4.2. Career Orientation and Learning Motivation
Students who participate in hands-on activities in Ninh Binh are also better able
to envision what it's like to work in the tourism sector, which helps them focus
their professions and grow their enthusiasm for it. Students can better assess
themselves and focus their careers by observing real-world activities and learning
about the difficulties the industry encounters. Strong motivation is also produced
by these encounters, which increases students' enthusiasm for the subject and
encourages them to take the initiative to learn and conduct research.
4.3. Ability to Propose Solutions and Innovation
Lastly, this field trip fosters the growth of kids' critical thinking and problem-
solving skills. Students will identify current issues in destination management
and attempt to develop concepts and efforts for improvement by taking part in
hands-on activities. This fosters innovation in the creation of sustainable tourist
goods and services in addition to helping students hone their problem-solving
abilities. Building students' professional competence for the future also heavily
relies on their ability to provide feedback and provide sustainable development
options for destinations.
 Conclusion
Students gained a thorough and practical understanding of destination
management through the field trip to Ninh Binh. Students' comprehension of the
tourism potential and the difficulties in managing and promoting Ninh Binh
destinations improved as a result of the observation, analysis, and evaluation
process. They also have the chance to practice critical thinking, build practical
skills, and apply theoretical knowledge to particular situations.
Although Ninh Binh is one of Vietnam's most popular tourist destinations due to
its stunning natural surroundings and rich cultural heritage, it still requires more
sustainable management and development techniques. In addition to improving
the experience for tourists, the report's suggested remedies support the
preservation and advancement of regional assets.
Through this hands-on experience, students develop a career mentality in the
tourist industry in addition to gaining the required information and abilities. They
will be well-prepared for professional job thanks to the experiences they have
learned, which will also help Vietnam's tourist sector grow sustainably in the
future.