Dak Nong strives to awaken ample tourism potential

The land is home to imposing natural landscapes, vast green carpets, primitive forests, majestic lakes and unique waterfalls.

The province also features spacious nature reserves such as the 12,300ha Nam Nung and 22,100ha Ta Dung’s vast ecosystems, many of which recognised by scientific organisations worldwide.

Under the plan to effectively tap Dak Nong’s enormous tourism potential, over the past several years provincial authorities have issued a raft of policies that support businesses, both local and foreign, that are committed to realising the province’s tourism potential.

Over 10 years of development, Dak Nong has developed a fairly sufficient system of guest houses and hotels with more than 1,000 rooms and capable of handling big events. The province has also joined hands with localities throughout the country to design tours that focus on promoting distinctive local offerings such as waterfall, spiritual and adventure tours.

By tapping diverse capital sources, key tourism centres and resorts are taking shape in Dak Nong, such as the Dak Glun waterfall eco-tourism attraction, Nam Nung eco cultural and historical museum, and Dray Sap-Gia Long-Trinh Nu waterfall chain resort.

In respect to Dak Glun eco tourism attraction, with more than VND11 billion ($524,000) in total investment the project has now completed a coffee shop chain, internal roads and a lighting system. The site is regarded by the local tourism sector to be of foremost importance in spurring tourism development in southwestern areas, as well as tours connecting Ho Chi Minh City, Da Lat, Ta Dung and Dak Glun.

In joining with the Central Highlands-Da Lat National Tourism Year 2014, Dak Nong has tailored diverse programmes to promote its image, including a cultural event at the Drap Say waterfall eco-tourism site that enchanted the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The tourism sector’s efforts to restore traditional festivals, resurrect traditional culture and open waterfall tours have helped visitors gain exposure to the province’s diverse culture and history.

Since tourism is regarded as a spearhead sector in promoting socio-economic development this year and in the time to come, Dak Nong envisages calling for investment into 12 resorts and 15 tourism complexes (see list).

During 2010-2015 Dak Nong has sourced investment into four projects: a resort chain along the Serepok River bank, the Nam Nung mountain eco-cultural tourism attraction, the Len Gun waterfall tourism attraction, and Ta Dung eco-cultural tourism attraction. These projects are valued at more than VND3 trillion ($143 million) in total investment capital.

Apart from enjoying government preferences, investors in these projects are also entitled to receive incentives offered by a resolution issued by Dak Nong People’s Council that contained specific policies to support industry, trade, tourism and services development in the province.

Dak Nong ideal for hi-tech agriculture The Central Highlands province of Dak Nong’s primary target in its agriculture development is building a comprehensive system geared toward modernity and sustainable development with high competitiveness capitalised by large-scale hi-tech commodity-based production.

Dak Nong offers immense potential As the southwest gateway to Vietnam’s Central Highlands, Dak Nong plays a crucial role in promoting trade between the Central Highlands and those in the southern key economic zone and south-central coastal provinces.