Ba Ria – Vung Tau: Leveraging Cultural values for Sustainable development

Located in the key economic region in the South, Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province (BRVT) boasts numerous advantages in terms of geographical location and natural resources, making it an ideal destination for tourism development. In addition to its natural beauty and stunning coastline, BRVT is also rich in historical landmarks, folk festivals deeply rooted in the traditional culture of the coastal people. These are highly favorable factors that set this region apart in showcasing distinctive cultural products for tourism development.

Particularly, the coastal city of Vung Tau possesses a highly diverse and rich cultural life, encompassing art, customs, traditions, beliefs, and religions. Amidst the diversity of culture in the Southeastern region, Vung Tau has its unique cultural elements that neighboring areas lack or do not represent as prominently. Notably, the coastal and geographical cultural elements stand out.

It can be said that nature, history, and culture have provided BRVT with abundant potential for tourism development, with cultural and spiritual tourism being a key product of the region.

Held on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month each year, the Nghinh Ong Festival is a solemn and elaborate event dedicated to worshipping Lord Whale to pray for favorable weather, calm seas, and a bountiful harvest of fish and shrimp, ensuring a prosperous and happy life for the fishermen.

The Nghinh Ong Festival in BRVT has a history dating back hundreds of years. According to legend, an 18-ton whale drifted ashore, bringing calm seas, plentiful catches, and good health to the local fishermen. The festival dates back to 1817, and in 2000, it was officially recognized as a cultural and historical heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. Since then, the festival has grown in scale and attracts thousands of visitors each year.

To attract tourists to BRVT, the local authorities are focusing on developing high-quality tourism to appeal to the upscale market. The province is working on developing premium services, entertainment options, and activities to attract and retain long-stay visitors. Furthermore, they are renovating and upgrading cultural heritage sites to cater to tourists while also integrating models of craft villages, clean agriculture, and high-tech applications to enhance the visitor experience. BRVT is also actively involved in promoting and educating visitors about the historical revolutionary struggle of the nation, particularly at the special national heritage site of Con Dao, which attracts both locals and tourists alike.

In 2021, the People's Committee of Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province issued Decision No. 5022/QD-UBND to approve the plan for implementing the conservation and sustainable promotion of cultural heritage values within the province's territory for the period 2021-2025. Regarding Con Dao, during the 12th session of the Provincial People's Council, 7th term, which took place on March 6, 2021, the council members passed a resolution to adjust the investment plan for the preservation and reverence of the historical site, Con Dao Prison.

During the 2011-2020 period, the entire province had restored and revered 33 historical sites, with a total investment of over 400 billion Vietnamese Dong. In the 2021-2025 period, the province continued to invest in the restoration and reverence of 3 historical sites: the special national heritage site of Con Dao, the historical site of Hac Dich underground tunnels, and the historical site of Kim Long underground tunnels, with a total investment of over 326 billion Vietnamese Dong. The rejuvenation and reverence of these cultural and historical heritage sites will create attractive destinations for tourists, contributing to the development of the province's tourism sector.

The Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province has developed a comprehensive tourism product development program for the year 2025, with a vision towards 2030. According to the plan, each locality will have core tourism products. The department will lead and coordinate with districts, cities in the province, and the participation of businesses and residents to create even more tourism products. In addition, efforts will be made to build tours, routes, and tourism programs to connect these tourism products. Many localities within the province have shown interest in preserving and promoting the values of historical sites and integrating them into attractive tourism packages to attract a wide range of tourists for exploration and discovery.