Shift in tourism flows from West to East Hai Phong after merger
Integrated traffic networks and a wide range of convenient transport options have made it easier for residents in western Hai Phong to visit and explore popular tourist attractions in the eastern part of the city.
Diverse services
Following the recent merger of Hai Duong province and Hai Phong city, a lot of families in the west (formerly Hai Duong) now prefer vacationing in eastern Hai Phong rather than traveling to other provinces and cities as they used to in previous years.
This shift is driven by the rapid development of tourist destinations in the east, accompanied by a wide array of accommodations, dining, and leisure services. In addition, the relatively short distance between the west and east helps travelers save both time and transportation costs.
Every weekend this July, the family of Le Van Ninh (40 years old) from Tan Ky commune has been making trips to West Hai Phong. This time, they chose to visit VinWonders Vu Yen in Hai An ward, a new entertainment complex that is currently the largest in Hai Phong, covering nearly 20 ha.
According to Ninh, the highlight of VinWonders Vu Yen is its vast wildlife kingdom, home to around 2,000 animals and 1,600 bird species, offering children a chance to immerse themselves in nature. There also are indoor and outdoor play zones featuring hundreds of interactive and electronic games, and the most popular attraction among young visitors is a 2-ha water park.
Dang Thi Ngan (30 years old) from Le Thanh Nghi ward has recently taken her family to Dragon Hill tourist site in Do Son ward. In addition to sightseeing, she treated her children to a "food tour" featuring iconic dishes of the port city such as crab spring rolls, crab noodle soup, spicy breadsticks, steamed rice cakes with pork, and chrysanthemum tea.
Plenty of potential
Before the merger, key transport infrastructure projects such as Dinh bridge, Quang Thanh bridge, National Highways 5, 17, 37, and 37B, and Ha Noi – Hai Phong expressway and railway had already been built, helping to close the gap between the eastern and western regions of Hai Phong.
These routes shorten travel time, reduce costs for residents and businesses, and facilitate the movement of goods, thus boosting socio-economic development. The merger has created opportunities to expand development space and enhance Hai Phong’s competitiveness on the national and international tourism maps.
Previously, Hai Phong focused on promoting wellness, ecological, agricultural, smart, and green tourism, while Hai Duong prioritized spiritual, cultural, historical, and experiential agricultural tourism. The merger has now blended these strengths, expanding the city's geographic scope while enhancing the scale and quality of its tourism services.
According to Nguyen Quoc Tuan, Vice Chairman of the Hai Phong Tourism Association, the east has advantages in marine and ecological tourism, while the west is rich in spiritual, historical, and agricultural tourism resources. This synergy will enable the city to develop a full range of tourism products, from short getaways to long-term vacations.
"Post-merger, in addition to amusement parks and beach tourism, Hai Phong is now home to nearly 4,000 historical sites. These not only testify to the city's rich history but also represent a diverse and vibrant cultural heritage. Linking these sites into a unified chain of destinations could attract more tourists, boost the local economy, and breathe new life into Hai Phong's tourism and cultural identity," said Tuan.
DO QUYET