Stepping up tourism promotion for destinations in northern Dong Nai

The Dong Nai Center for Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion has recently organized a survey and developed new tourism routes connecting Long Thanh International Airport with several destinations in northern Dong Nai province. More than 50 tourism and travel enterprises in the province joined the survey delegation.

Khmer ethnic residents in Tan Khai commune perform traditional cultural shows for visitors. Photo: Ngoc Lien

The program aims to collect on-site information to evaluate the potential of tourist sites, routes, and destinations throughout the province, particularly those with the capability to connect directly to Long Thanh Airport. Based on the survey results, specific tour programs and routes will be proposed and developed to cater to the diverse needs of different visitor segments, offering flexible travel options.

Leveraging tourism potential in border areas and revolutionary base sites

Northern Dong Nai Province (formerly part of Binh Phuoc) is home to numerous long-established and well-known tourist attractions, such as the Ta Thiet military base, the Command Headquarters for the Liberation Army of South Vietnam, in Loc Thanh Commune; Bu Gia Map National Park in Bu Gia Map Commune; the Giao Te House (Giao Te House historic site) in Loc Ninh Commune; the Bom Bo Hamlet National Historic Site in Bom Bo Commune; along with various border markers and destinations of distinct cultural and spiritual value. However, tourism development at these sites has yet to achieve results commensurate with their potential. In particular, the development of tours and travel routes, as well as linkages between tour operators and local destinations, remains limited.

Tourists take commemorative photos at Border Marker No. 78, located at the Loc Thinh Border Gate Border Guard Station in Loc Thanh commune. Photo: Ngoc Lien

Commenting on the tourism development potential of northern Dong Nai, Nguyen Thi Kim Thoai, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics and Finance, noted that: the northern Dong Nai holds strong potential for various types of tourism, including eco-adventure tourism, community-based cultural exploration, and educational tourism linked to stories about border markers that affirm national sovereignty, and promote environmental protection.

In the coming period, the Dong Nai Center for Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion will step up promotion activities and position the image of Dong Nai as a new tourism destination, gradually affirming the province’s role as a new tourism center in the Southeastern region with the capacity to attract both domestic and international visitors.

To develop tourism in northern Dong Nai, according to Nguyen Thi Kim Thoai, the province can focus on community-based cultural tourism by drawing on the cultural narratives of the Khmer, S'tieng, and other local ethnic communities. To achieve this, local authorities and tourism businesses must help residents understand the cultural and economic values they can gain from participating in tourism. Once communities recognize these benefits, their awareness of preserving traditional culture will improve, and they will be more willing to engage in tourism activities. In addition, northern Dong Nai boasts excellent potential for tourism development, particularly in relation to its revolutionary history, with well-known revolutionary bases that offer rich historical narratives and contribute to educating visitors about the nation's revolutionary traditions and patriotism. To build more comprehensive tourism offerings, Dong Nai should continue to strengthen supporting services, including accommodation, cuisine, and local specialty products.

Creating opportunities for northern Dong Nai tourism to soar

Based on the survey findings, several travel companies suggested that the Ta Thiet military base, border markers, and Bu Gia Map National Park are impressive destinations that can be developed into tourism products for diverse visitor groups. Potential offerings include homeland-themed tours for students, agencies, and mass organizations; forest-based eco-adventure tours featuring activities such as visiting border markers; as well as community-based cultural experiences and spiritual tourism programs.

Tourists enjoy cycling tours to explore the Ta Thiet military base

Nguyen Thanh Sang, Director of Golden Trip Tourist Co., Ltd. (based in Tran Bien Ward), shared that following the administrative merger, Dong Nai now has expanded space to develop tourism toward the northern region. This endeavor creates an opportunity for the province to diversify its tourism offerings and tap into the potential domestic market within Dong Nai, as well as visitors from neighboring localities such as Ho Chi Minh City, Tay Ninh, and the Central Highlands provinces. In particular, once Long Thanh Airport becomes operational, Dong Nai will have greater opportunities to attract international tourists. Sang added: “In the coming period, we will conduct research and develop destinations to operate tours in northern Dong Nai Province. These will be potential tourism products targeted at students, agencies, units, and businesses. We hope that local authorities and tourism management agencies will support residents and destinations in the northern area of the province in building high-quality, attractive, and experience-rich sites, enabling travel companies to confidently bring visitors here in the near future.”

Aiming to increase tourism products, strengthen connections between destinations and travel firms, and drive faster growth of the industry in the years ahead, Tran Thi Thu Trang, Deputy Director of the Dong Nai Center for Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion expected that: following the survey and based on feedback and recommendations from travel businesses and destination representatives, Dong Nai’s tourism sector plans to develop more specific tour programs and routes. These may include tours departing from Long Thanh International Airport to explore Dong Nai and neighboring provinces; return-to-airport tours designed to offer convenience for travelers at the end of their trip; day tours tailored to business travelers; short-stopover tours for transit visitors; and extended itineraries for international tourists interested in discovering the rich culture, history, and natural ecosystems of Dong Nai and the Southeastern region of Vietnam.

By Ngoc Lien – Translated by Thu Hien, Minho