Vĩnh Long Province aims to foster a variety of tourism offerings
Vinh Long Province: A New Tourism Hub in the Mekong Delta
Vinh Long Province, located in the heart of the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta, has undergone significant changes following its administrative merger with Ben Tre and Tra Vinh provinces. The combined province now boasts a 130 km coastline, over 6,200 sq km area, and nearly 4.2 million people, creating a new range of tourism opportunities.
The province's unique tourism features include diverse products and routes, extensive waterway experiences, coastal attractions, cultural and festival tourism, agro-tourism and orchard visits, community-based and smart tourism development.
With the rich travel experience combining riverine, orchard, coastal, and cultural tourism, visitors can enjoy unique itineraries from inland fruit gardens to coastal retreats, blending traditional and modern tourism. The dense network of rivers and canals supports water-based tourism such as rowing boat trips through mangrove forests and cruises on the Mekong River system, enriching eco-tourism and community-based tourism options.
The 130 km coastline includes pristine landscapes, fresh air, historical relics, and rich cultural heritage, especially in places like Thanh Hai commune, which attracts visitors for its natural beauty and cultural significance. The province is also home to the largest coconut growing area in the country and one of the largest populations of Khmer people in the Mekong Delta.
The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vinh Long Province plans to develop tourism routes linking inland orchard areas to the sea. One such development is the tour launched by the Vinh Binh Travel Trading Company Limited in Trà Vinh Ward, connecting a floating coconut market on the Thom River to Hô riverine island. This tour has received warm responses from many international travel agencies.
Nguyễn Thị Quyên Thanh, deputy chairwoman of the provincial People's Committee, encourages the province's Tourism Association to unite capable, dedicated enterprises to improve service quality, renew products, adopt digital tools, and build tourism on a foundation of smart resource use while preserving local heritage.
These tourism developments are expected to boost tourism revenue and promote the growth of related services such as accommodation, food and drink, transport, and handicrafts. The province's tourism environment remains largely unspoilt by urbanisation, making it ideal for resort, cultural, and eco-tourism.
In the first half of this year, Vinh Long Province has welcomed over 5.1 million visitors, including 676,000 foreigners. The province aims to improve linkages with nearby provinces such as Đông Tháp, Tây Ninh, and Cân Thơ City to attract more tourists.
One of the cultural highlights of Vinh Long is Ong Nam Haı Temple in Thańh Haı Commune, which houses two giant whale skeletons, a sacred symbol for coastal communities.
Vinh Long Province targets welcoming 9.2 million visitors this year, with revenue of over VNĐ7.7 trillion ($294 million). These developments are also expected to generate thousands of new jobs for local residents, improve living standards, and contribute to the province's overall economic growth.
- Ai-powered tools could be utilized by the Tourism Association in Vinh Long Province to enhance their tourism services and digital presence.
- The unique combination of jobs in home-and-garden, agriculture, and orchard visits, along with the rich cultural heritage, makes Vinh Long an appealing location for lifestyle tourism.
- The extensive network of rivers and canals in Vinh Long provides ample opportunities for war-themed tourism, with historical relics narrating tales of Vietnam's past.
- For education-and-self-development purposes, Vinh Long could offer specialized tours focusing on the science and conservation of the Mekong Delta's environment.
- The development of smart tourism in Vinh Long, such as the floating coconut market tour, could also attract sports enthusiasts interested in water sports activities.
- The growing number of tourists in Vinh Long offers businesses in sectors like accommodation, food and drink, transport, and handicrafts a promising environment for expansion, contributing to the overall economic growth and improved living standards in the province.
