Kon Tum is one of a few localities that still fully possesses the pristine beauty of majestic mountains and forests and unique customs and traditions in the villages where ethnic minorities reside. The room for tourism development in the province is huge. Bolstered by optimistic performance and resilience in 2023, 2024 and the following years, Kon Tum tourism will continue its sustainable development and gradually realize the set goals.
Kon Klor suspension bridge, a large and beautiful cable-stayed structure, casts a majestic view over the tranquil Dak Bla river, serving not only as a connection between the riverbanks but also as a popular spot for young people
Converging many advantages
Once setting foot in Kon Tum, tourists and investors will be impressed with charming landscapes and unique culture in a mountainous province where there are many rare flora and fauna, including Ngoc Linh ginseng, rich unique cultural heritages, traditional trades and Central Highlands cuisines. Taking advantage of these strengths, the province's tourism industry has reaped many “sweet fruits”. The image of Kon Tum land and people and local tourism potential are increasingly enchanting visitors far and wide.
Mr. Nguyen Van Binh, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Kon Tum province, said: Up to now, local tourism infrastructure development has been increasingly improved, with better tourism accommodation systems. In 2023, the province received over 1.3 million visitors, equal to 86.67% of the full-year plan and up 21.75% year on year. Total revenue was estimated at VND520 billion, equal to 162.5% of the plan and up 60.1% year on year. Currently, the province is home to 198 tourist accommodation facilities with a total of 2,292 rooms, including two 3-star hotels with 131 rooms, nine 2-star hotels with 303 rooms, 45 1-star hotels with 688 rooms, seven unrated (unstarred) accommodations with 204 rooms, and 112 motels and homestays with 966 rooms.
Mang Den walking street is a popular destination for both locals and tourists
The Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial People’s Committee always advocate encouraging tourism development. Many investors have come to conduct surveys and launch official investment projects like Mang Den, Sa Thay, Dak To and Kon Tum eco-tourism resorts, medicinal herb processing projects combined with ecotourism and experiential travel; agricultural tourism with high-tech application combined with agritourism and ecotourism development in Kon Plong district.
The Provincial People's Committee also seriously carries out the medicinal plant investment, development and processing project to 2020, with a vision to 2030 and executes the Conclusion of the Prime Minister at the Workshop on Kon Tum Ngoc Linh Ginseng and Medicinal Herb Investment and Development that “Conducting development investment together with preserving genetic resources of Ngoc Linh ginseng, expanding the growing area and the processing of Ngoc Linh ginseng; encourage joint venture, association and cooperation with farmers, ensuring livelihoods for local people”, and lease special-use forests to grow Ngoc Linh ginseng and medicinal herbs under the forest canopy as per Decree 168/2016/ND-CP.
Tourism promotion is expanded in many places such as Hanoi City, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, Laos and Thailand. Besides, the province now has 200 OCOP products certified 3-5 stars, including one 5-star product (national product), 16 4-star products and 177 3-star products. Six potential products are being proposed to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for 5-star consideration, assessment and recognition.
Towards comprehensive development
Recent development achievements have laid a foundation for the province to move towards sustainable tourism for the sake of the people, especially ethnic minority communities. Sticking to typical tourism products, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism will focus more on developing community tourism, eco-tourism, forest-based landscapes and cultural tourism with diverse methods to protect the natural ecological environment. The department will pay attention to training tourism human resources for practical requirements; continue to speed up information technology application to tourism management and operation, especially in accommodation, travel, tourist attractions and destinations in the province.
Director Binh said: 2024 is a breakthrough year, of particular importance to the successful implementation of the Government's 5-year plan in 2021 - 2025. In the year, in addition to right directions, the province will actively divide into specific groups of tasks and closely follow them to develop a distinct tourism brand and increase connectivity. The province will appreciate the value of communication, promotion, cooperation and association to develop the tourist market and select unique tourism products to build tours to destinations, hotels, restaurants and entertainment places. Especially, the department will continue to implement tasks regarding the Tourism Development Plan for the Cambodia - Laos - Vietnam Development Triangle Area in 2020-2025, with a vision to 2030 and Vietnam’s strategic tourism development projects with regional countries like East - West Economic Corridor Project, Greater Mekong Subregion Tourism Development Project, Central Heritage Road Project, Central Highlands Green Road Project, and Vietnam - Laos - Cambodia National Boundary Landmarks Project.
Dak Ke Lake, a famous destination in Mang Den known for its charming and gentle beauty, is a must-visit for those seeking a fresh, cool atmosphere when traveling to Kon Tum province
In 2024, although the World Trade Organization (WTO) revealed a gloomy forecast for the global economy, international tourism will remain a bright spot, expected to reach pre-pandemic recovery. Therefore, motivated by achievements in 2023, tourism will soon become a driving force and a breakthrough in socioeconomic development in 2024 and beyond and Kon Tum province will strive to awaken its tourism potential to become an outstanding tourist destination, typical of the Central Highlands region in terms of green, quality and sustainable tourism with a synchronous and unique tourism product system created by the perfectly harmonious exploitation, development and promotion of natural resources and ethnic culture in Kon Tum.
By Bich Tram, Vietnam Business Forum
Vietnamese
October 2024
Hanoi