Investment in Infrastructure and Technical Facilities for Tourism Development

Regarding tourism income: in 2010 it reached 226.9 billion VND, an average increase of 22.19%/year; in 2015 it reached 646.9 billion VND, an average increase of 23.31%/year; striving to reach 1,823.5 billion VND by 2020, an average increase of 23.17%.

Total social investment capital for tourism development in the period 2006-2010 was 449 billion VND, from 2010 to 2020 it was 3,577.8 billion VND. Of which, investment from the state budget is about 10%.

Ben Tre currently has 68 tourist attractions, including many eco-tourism spots in the garden, homestays in Phung islet tourist area (Tan Thach, Chau Thanh district), Phong Phu tourist spots, Thao Nhi, Hao Ai, Diem Phuong, Que Dua, Quy islet tourist spot (Quoi Son), Tan Quy islet, Phu An Khang eco-tourism garden (Binh Phu commune, Ben Tre city), Nam Cong (Hung Khanh Trung B), Hoang Duy ornamental plant and flower nursery, Bay Thao durian garden, Dai Loc tourist spot (Son Dinh commune, Cho Lach district), Ba Ngoi tourist garden, Tam Loc, Hoang Lan homestay (An Khanh commune, Chau Thanh district), Cai Cam homestay (Tan Thanh Binh commune, Mo Cay Bac district), Forever Green Resort luxury resort (Phu Tuc commune, Chau Thanh district).

Ben Tre tourism has always developed at a rapid pace, the number of tourists increased by an average of 13% per year over the same period, especially of which over 42% were international visitors. Revenue from tourists increased by an average of 23% per year over the same period. With a low starting point for tourism, but on the current development momentum, Ben Tre has been and is being invested by investors in tourist areas, tourist attractions, and accommodation facilities with a fairly large and modern scale; every year there are new tourism products. Accommodation facilities for tourists from standard motels, 1-star to 4-star hotels have met the needs of over 2,000 guests from mid-range to high-end.

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2.3.6. Investment in infrastructure and technical facilities for tourism development

In recent years, sectors and localities in the province have seriously implemented Directive 09/CT-TU of Ben Tre Provincial Party Committee on tourism development in the period of 2012-2015, focusing on investing in tourism infrastructure to attract and call for investors in the tourism sector; creating diverse and unique tourism products with the brand "Ben Tre River and Garden - Mekong Delta".

After a period of global economic crisis, the world economy has stabilized; in 2015, Vietnam had many events and festivals, organized on a large scale, attracting

The number of tourists from other countries to Vietnam is increasing; in 2015, tourism investment and tourism activities in Ben Tre province have improved, demonstrating the results of implementing the tourism development project for the period 2011-2015.

The province prioritizes investment in socio-economic infrastructure to facilitate investors coming to Ben Tre. Encourage and create the most favorable environment for domestic and foreign investors to invest in building large-scale tourist areas and tourist attractions to promote local tourism development.

In addition to the tourist areas and spots that have been in operation, the province is paying attention to infrastructure investment projects that have been put into use and continue to invest such as: Con Oc - Hung Phong Tourism Infrastructure Project; Infrastructure Project serving tourism in communes along the Tien River. Infrastructure Project serving tourism in Con Bung, Thanh Hai Commune, Thanh Phu District.

Investment projects to develop infrastructure to serve tourism business, both operating and continuing to invest such as: Forever Green Resort; Phu An Khang Tourist Site; Ben Tre Floating Restaurant; 4-star Coconut Hotel.

Continuing the projects that are being implemented but not yet completed: Vam Ho Bird Garden Ecotourism Site; Mekong Pearl Ecotourism Resort; Mekong Resort project of Mekong Tourism Investment Joint Stock Company; Rach Mieu - Ben Tre Tourist Wharf project is carrying out procedures and investment cooperation.

During the year, Ben Tre continued to appraise and classify tourist accommodation establishments to re-appraise 02 one-star hotels (Dai An Hotel and Oasis-Kiwi Hotel). The investment was completed and the Coconut Hotel was put into use according to 4-star hotel standards, which was appraised and certified by the General Department of Tourism in 2015.

Up to now, Ben Tre has had 1 4-star hotel, 3 3-star hotels, 4 1-star hotels and nearly 50 other hotels and motels that are capable of serving tourists from budget to high-end.

In 2015, the total number of toilets meeting standards serving tourists at tourist areas and tourist attractions in the province was 55/65 tourist attractions, reaching 85%. The number of toilets at tourist attractions that did not meet standards serving tourists accounted for 15%, mainly concentrated in garden tourist attractions that only serve seasonal tourists such as Lunar New Year, Doan Ngo Festival, and festivals.

Infrastructure investment projects have been put into use and continue to be invested in such as: Con Oc - Hung Phong Tourism Infrastructure Project has been implemented to date with 26 billion VND. Infrastructure project serving tourism in communes along Tien River (Tan Thach - Giao Long section) has been implemented to date with 25.1 billion VND. Infrastructure project serving tourism in Con Bung, Thanh Hai commune, in 2015 with 14 billion VND.

Investment projects to develop infrastructure to serve tourism business are both operating and continuing to invest such as: Forever Green Resort and An Khanh Rest Stop of Lo Hoi Trading and Service Co., Ltd., with an investment of 416 billion VND to date (including 2 areas), continuing to invest in area C, in 2015, an additional investment of 24 billion VND will be made.

Phu An Khang Tourist Site has invested 15 billion VND so far, and in 2015, an additional 2 billion VND was invested. Ben Tre Floating Restaurant invested in renovation and moved to the center of Ben Tre City on the poetic Ben Tre River, and has been put into operation, with a total investment of 10.8 billion VND. Coconut Hotel invested 160 billion VND, and in 2015, an additional 3 billion VND was invested and put into operation, and was recognized as a 4-star hotel by the General Department of Tourism.

Projects in progress but not yet completed: Vam Ho Bird Garden Ecotourism Site has invested 12.5 billion VND, and is continuing to invest. Mekong Pearl Ecotourism Resort has invested 30 billion VND, is in the construction phase, and in 2015 invested 15 billion VND. Phu Binh Ecotourism Site Project has invested 53 billion VND (mainly in site improvement and aquaculture), and in 2015 invested 5 billion VND in tourism services. Mekong Resort Project of Mekong Tourism Investment Joint Stock Company, in 2015 invested 20 billion VND. Rach Mieu - Ben Tre Tourist Wharf Project is carrying out procedures and investment cooperation.

2.3.7. Tourism promotion work

, introduced at fairs -

Successfully organized many tourism promotion programs in the province's event series.

; upload 16 photo albums to the Internet

provincial tourism activities.

Printed more than 38,100 publications of all kinds such as: handbooks, instructions, addresses, information you need to know about

30 Ben Tre tourism programs on TV stations

VTV1, HTV9, HTV7, VNA, THVL, THCT, THBT. Participated in 53 fairs, seminars, exhibitions, and competitions at home and abroad. Organized culinary festivals and promoted tourism at the 3rd Coconut Festival in 2012, the 1st Culture - Tourism Week in 2013, and the 4th Coconut Festival in 2015 in Ben Tre.

Guided more than 50 domestic and foreign film crews as well as famtrip groups, party and state delegations to work and participate in

- .

Receive and work with the People's Journalists' delegation, the survey delegation of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of neighboring provinces, visit to study and exchange experiences.

Post information, articles, and promotional images about Ben Tre tourism on the website.

conscious.

Design, print and publish the book "Information you need to know about coconut tourism", "Guide

Ben Tre tourist guide", Ben Tre tourist map, making DVD film video clip "Coconut land tourism"...

Coordinate with central, provincial and local newspapers, radio and television stations to write articles introducing the land and people of Ben Tre to domestic and foreign tourists.

Participate in fairs, Mekong Delta tourism festivals, and festivals of provinces and cities across the country. Organize for travel agencies from neighboring provinces such as Vinh Long, Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, Lam Dong, Ca Mau to survey Ben Tre tourist routes and destinations.

Through the promotion of business product information on newspapers, magazines, the internet and promotional publications, many domestic and foreign customers have contacted to inquire about goods, some travel companies in Ho Chi Minh City have organized tour surveys and brought many tourist groups to visit Ben Tre. Through the commercial counselors of other countries, many partners have been introduced to businesses looking to buy aquatic products, coconuts, and handicrafts of Ben Tre.

After participating in the handicraft showroom organized annually by the Ho Chi Minh City Trade and Investment Promotion Center, businesses, production and export establishments of handicrafts have found many new partners and expanded their domestic and export markets.

However, some tourism businesses have not yet developed brochures, catalogs and advertising publications, so promoting information about the business is still limited.

2.3.8. Inspection, examination and handling of violations in tourism activities

Inspection, examination and handling of violations in tourism activities are regular tasks of the tourism industry in management to assess the actual situation of operations and compliance with the law of accommodation establishments in the area. Strengthening post-inspection of accommodation establishments after ranking to maintain quality, detect violations and shortcomings in tourism business activities for timely correction and handling. At the same time, receiving opinions and recommendations from establishments to make adjustments suitable to the actual situation of the locality. Gradually bringing tourism activities into order, creating a stable, secure, sustainable and highly professional tourism environment, creating trust for tourists when visiting and staying in Ben Tre.

The tourism inspectorate has the function of inspecting and examining the implementation of laws and policies of the State in the fields of tourism activities, including: national programs, investment projects in the field of tourism; activities of associations, non-governmental organizations in the field of tourism in the province; tourism resources; tourism planning; environment.

tourism; tourist areas, tourist spots, tourist routes; tourist guides; tourism promotion and cultural exchange; foreign information in tourism activities; and legal activities related to tourism.

The activities of tourism inspectors previously under Decree 47/2001/ND-CP dated August 10, 2001 of the Government on the functions, tasks, powers and organization of tourism inspectors and Decree 50/2002/ND-CP dated April 25, 2002 of the Government on administrative sanctions in the tourism sector are now replaced by Decree No. 149/2007/ND-CP dated October 9, 2009 of the Government on administrative sanctions in the tourism sector and Decision No. 20/200/QD-BVHTTDL dated March 18, 2008 of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism regulating the functions, tasks, powers and organization of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism inspectors.

In recent years, the separation and merger of state agencies performing the task of state management of tourism has somewhat affected the work of inspection and examination of tourism. As a unit with both advisory functions and the task of assisting the Director of the Department in performing the task of administrative inspection of units under the Department and specialized inspection in the field of Culture, Sports and Tourism activities for organizations and individuals in Ben Tre province. As of 2013, the Department Inspectorate conducted inspections of 133 cultural establishments, cultural and tourism service businesses and 39 means of transporting tourists by inland waterway. Through inspections, the inspection force educated and reminded 53 cases with signs of violations; detected and recorded administrative violations of 38 cases (the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Inspectorate recorded 36 cases, the Department of Transport Inspectorate recorded 02 cases ).

Some inland waterway tourist transport vehicles are not fully equipped with safety equipment. The inspection force promptly handled the situation and forced the vehicle owners to fix it to ensure the safety of tourists. Some tourism and food service businesses have not committed to protecting the environment, ensuring food hygiene and safety, have not made periodic environmental monitoring reports, and have not properly implemented the reporting regime to the state management agency for tourism. They have also been reminded and administratively sanctioned.

In addition, the Department Inspectorate also organized many interdisciplinary inspection teams to gradually rectify business activities in the tourism sector such as: social evils, culture, labor, security and order, environment, food safety and hygiene, etc.

2.4. Assessment of the current status of state management of tourism in Ben Tre province

Although Ben Tre province's tourism industry has only developed strongly in the past 10 years, it has achieved many encouraging results. Especially since Resolution 21 of 2007 of the Provincial People's Council and Directive 09 of the Provincial Party Committee in 2012, Ben Tre province's tourism industry has been oriented to develop further, contributing to creating jobs for thousands of local workers, increasing the province's budget, helping infrastructure development, contributing to the province's GDP more and more... In particular, the tourism industry has contributed to promoting to the people of the whole country and international tourists about the land and people of Ben Tre, gentle, kind, hospitable, contributing to beautifying the homeland of Coconut in particular and Vietnam in general.

2.4.1. Results achieved

Firstly, the state management apparatus for tourism in Ben Tre province has been improved. The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Ben Tre has recently done a good job of advising the Provincial People's Committee to issue decisions on state management of tourism in Ben Tre province, and at the same time, coordinated well with responsible agencies in state management of tourism;

Second, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the province has made great efforts in training and building a team of officials in state management of tourism. The collective of officials and civil servants of the Department in general and the officials and civil servants of the Tourism Affairs Department in particular have been dedicated to serving and creative in their work, and have performed well the role of advising the Provincial People's Committee in managing tourism activities. Especially tourism businesses in Ben Tre province according to the decentralization of the state and according to the provisions of law;

Third, the system of legal documents on tourism has been issued and completed, gradually consolidating and orienting as well as creating a favorable environment for tourism development; promptly implementing planning and adjusting planning in accordance with reality. At the same time, legal documents are also the basis for tourism activities to develop in accordance with the goals and orientations set by the State;

Fourthly, the People's Committee of Ben Tre province is very interested in calling for investment, promoting and advertising tourism in the province, attracting investment resources into the tourism industry to bring high economic efficiency, contributing to increasing the province's GDP as well as solving the labor source, creating jobs for local workers;

Fifth, the province has focused on investing in infrastructure and technical facilities to serve tourism development such as roads, bridges, electricity, water, telecommunications systems, banking systems, etc. In addition, the province has also focused on creating conditions for businesses to build mid- and high-end resorts, systems of restaurants, hotels, and quality, hygienic dining establishments to attract tourists;

Sixth, political security and social order and safety are ensured, contributing to the safety of tourists when coming to Ben Tre. There is a plan to inspect, check and supervise tourism activities periodically every year;

Seventh, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has done a good job of advising and assisting the People's Committee of Ben Tre province in training tourism management officials as well as opening many training courses and refresher courses for workers in the tourism industry of the province, contributing to improving tourism professional qualifications. The staff and civil servants of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism in general, and the staff and civil servants of the Tourism Affairs Department in particular, have been dedicated and creative in their work, doing a good job of advising the People's Committee of the province in managing tourism activities according to the decentralization of the state and according to the provisions of law.

2.4.2. Existing problems and limitations

Besides the achieved results, the state management of tourism in Ben Tre province also has certain limitations:

Firstly, the state management apparatus for tourism is not stable. The organization of the local tourism apparatus is not really complete, lacking professionalism due to many separations and mergers, causing disruptions in the organizational structure and changes in personnel, so management work encounters many difficulties, affecting the quality and efficiency of work as well as the capacity and efficiency of state management work;

Second, the qualifications and capacity of some cadres and civil servants do not meet the development needs of society: there is a lack of cadres with qualifications in tourism expertise and profession, cadres

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