The south-central province of Ninh Thuan saw a strong economic growth rate of more than 12 per cent over the last two years, thanks to advantages in marine economy and renewable energy.

In the past five years, the province’s development orientation has shifted to a green economy for sustainable development, and economic competitiveness and efficiency.

It prioritizes energy; tourism; agriculture; forestry and fishery; industry; education and training; and construction and real estate. These groups of industries are expected to contribute 91 per cent to the province’s GDP and 85 per cent of jobs.

According to the province’s Statistics Office, the province’s total state budget revenue in the first five months of this year reached about VND1.8 trillion (US$78.4 million), equivalent to its state budget revenue in 2015.

Last year, the province’s gross regional domestic product (​GRDP) was estimated at 12 per cent. Meanwhile, its total state budget revenue was estimated at VND3.9 trillion ($169.8 million), exceeding 11.4 per cent of the plan.

The industrial production value reached nearly VND17 trillion ($740 million) last year, a year-on-year increase of 22.5 per cent.

The value of the solar power sector rose by 147.8 per cent and the wind power sector increased by 58.5 per cent.

Provincial tourism has strongly developed in the past five years. The province has advantages in tourism development, with 59 cultural heritage sites, and unspoiled beaches and islands.

The 100km-long coast from Thuan Bac District’s Cong Hai Commune to Thuan Nam District’s Ca Na Commune offers a charming natural landscape. On one side is the primaeval forest and on the other the blue ocean.

There are popular tourist attractions such as Vinh Hy Bay, Rai Cave, Ninh Chu - Binh Son beach, Ca Na beach, Mui Dinh (Dinh Headland) and Thai An Vineyard.

The province also offers favourable weather for exploiting the potential of marine sports and activities. However, only the Tanyoli Tourist Area in Ninh Phuoc District’s Phuoc Dinh Commune provides tourists with marine sport tourism services.

Phan Tan Canh, deputy chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, said the committee had approved a plan to build a sports complex on the beach along Dong Hai Ward in Phan Rang-Thap Cham City.

It will serve both locals and tourists, including a sports centre designed for windsurfing, parasailing, flyboarding and scuba diving. It will help Phan Rang - Thap Cham City become the first metropolis in experiential tourism in the region.

Nguyen Duc Chi, the investor of Ninh Chu Sailing Bay project, said the province was catching up with current tourism development trends.

Phan Rang-Thap Cham will be the first locality in the country developing beach resorts combined with experiential tourism services.

Other tourist cities such as Nha Trang, Da Lat, and Phan Thiet cities are lacking experiential tourism services. "There will be a great opportunity for the province to become a high-quality experiential tourism hub,” he said.

Wind power combined with eco-tourism

Dr Du Van Toan from the Viet Nam Institute of Seas and Islands said Ninh Thuan should move toward combining wind power with eco-tourism to boost the local economy.

For example, a wind power plant built in a coastal area in southwest France has earned higher revenue from tourism than wind power generation.

According to CBRE Viet Nam’s research and consulting department, tourism companies could work with investors of wind power projects on creating tours to wind farms including education on wind power and renewable energy.

The provincial People’s Committee has urged the Department of Industry and Trade to build a plan to turn Ninh Thuan into the country’s renewable energy centre.

The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has been assigned to give investment priority to areas with potential for marine tourism development.

The province targets 3.5 million visitors by 2025 and six million visitors by 2030.

By 2025, the province’s economic growth is expected to rise by 1.9 times compared to 2020.

Its GRDP could reach about VND6.5 trillion ($282.3 million). The marine economy would account for 42 per cent. — VNS