Ninh Binh ready to welcome “wave” of tourists during National Day holiday

Refreshing tourism products and raising service quality

With the National Day holiday approaching, tourism destinations across Ninh Binh are accelerating preparations to welcome visitors. Scenic areas are being renovated, public spaces cleaned and decorated with the national flag, while cultural and artistic programmes and new experiential activities are being developed to enhance the appeal of the destination.

At the Tam Coc-Bich Dong Tourism Area, visitors can enjoy not only the area’s iconic limestone karst landscapes, rice fields and the winding Ngo Dong River, but also a distinctive autumn attraction: purple water lilies in bloom.

Nguyen Do Thuy Duong, who is in charge of communications at the Tam Coc-Bich Dong Tourism Area, said tens of thousands of water lilies have begun blooming along both banks of the Ngo Dong River. Their purple blossoms stand out against the water, blending with the greenery and surrounding mountains to create a romantic and picturesque landscape.

The seasonal display is expected to become an additional attraction for Tam Coc during this year’s holiday.

“To prepare for the expected increase in visitors during the National Day holiday, we are focusing on landscaping, environmental sanitation and visitor services, while enhancing information and guidance to ensure tourists have convenient and safe journeys,” Duong said.

Other tourism sites across the province are also stepping up efforts to improve their facilities and enhance the festive atmosphere. Operators are reviewing infrastructure, tidying their premises, collecting waste, cleaning public areas, installing additional directional signs and arranging sufficient staff to serve visitors during peak periods.

Restaurants and accommodation providers are also preparing for the expected increase in demand.

Nguyen Thi Le, owner of Ba Cua Restaurant in Hoa Lu ward, said the restaurant had worked with suppliers and signed agreements to ensure sufficient food ingredients for the holiday period.

“Alongside securing food supplies, we have arranged a team of more than 30 staff members and are ready to increase staffing during peak hours,” Le said.

Ninh Binh currently has more than 70 tourism sites and attractions and around 1,500 accommodation establishments offering approximately 23,000 rooms. Of these, 72 establishments are rated from one to five stars, with nearly 3,900 rooms, while 343 homestays provide more than 2,700 rooms.

The expanding accommodation network is enabling the province to cater to a broad range of visitors, from high-end leisure travellers and tour groups to families and younger tourists seeking community-based experiences.

According to Duong Thi Thanh, Chairwoman of the provincial Tourism Association, the association expects visitor numbers to rise sharply during the holiday and has encouraged its members and tourism businesses to proactively invest in, refresh and upgrade their products.

Greater attention is also being paid to service quality, environmental sanitation and staff attitudes towards visitors, while stronger links are being promoted among accommodation providers, restaurants, attractions and supporting tourism services.

Ensuring safety and security for every journey

Alongside improving tourism products and services, maintaining public order and traffic safety is a key priority during the holiday period.

At Thinh Long Beach Tourism Area in Hai Thinh commune, a surge in visitors during the summer has brought greater vibrancy and renewed momentum to local tourism and services. Restaurants, accommodation establishments and seaside businesses have benefited from increased demand, creating jobs and boosting local incomes.

However, larger crowds also place greater pressure on authorities to maintain public order and ensure safety.

Lieutenant Colonel Vu Duc Dat, Deputy Chief of Hai Thinh commune’s Public Security Division, said local police had proactively developed a plan to maintain public order and traffic safety during the peak holiday period.

“We are increasing patrols and inspections along roads and in areas with high concentrations of people and vehicles. Vehicles that stop or park illegally and obstruct traffic will be reminded or strictly dealt with to keep roads clear, improve pedestrian access and reduce the risk of accidents,” Dat said.

Ahead of the September 2 holiday, authorities reviewed areas considered potentially unsafe and installed additional warning and prohibition signs. Plans have also been made for local police officers to coordinate with border guards and youth volunteers to regulate and guide traffic during peak periods.

In Nam Hoa Lu ward, another area experiencing strong tourism and service activity and heavy flows of people and vehicles, local police have likewise developed a plan to ensure public order and traffic safety before and throughout the holiday.

Lieutenant Colonel Le Vu Thai, Deputy Chief of Nam Hoa Lu ward’s Public Security Division, said officers would conduct regular patrols across the area, focusing on crowded locations, major traffic routes and sites where violations could potentially occur.

At the same time, local businesses are reminded to operate in designated areas and refrain from displaying goods or advertising signs on pavements.

Notably, the ward police have installed and put into operation nearly 20 surveillance cameras at locations considered vulnerable to safety and security issues. The system expands authorities’ ability to monitor the area, detect unusual situations at an early stage and respond more effectively when incidents occur.

The 2026 National Day holiday is expected to provide another boost to Ninh Binh’s tourism sector, as families and groups of friends seek opportunities for sightseeing, leisure and new experiences before the new school year begins.

With its spectacular landscapes and convenient access from major population centres, Ninh Binh is increasingly becoming an attractive destination for both domestic and international travellers.

With tourism operators, businesses and authorities making proactive preparations, Ninh Binh is ready to welcome the expected influx of visitors during the National Day holiday and further reinforce its image as a safe, civilised, friendly and attractive destination./.