A series of activities will be held in the northern province of Ninh Binh on the occasion of the five-day holiday of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day (April 30) and May Day (May 1) from April 27 to May 1.

One of the events that residents and tourists are looking forward to will be the 10th anniversary of the Trang An Landscape Complex's UNESCO recognition as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site.

A grand ceremony to mark this anniversary is scheduled to take place on April 26 evening.

On this occasion, tourists to Ninh Binh can attend the Trang An Festival, also held on April 26, during which they will have a chance to experience the local culture and river rituals.

Sports lovers can take part in the cycling for a green environment on April 27, and the “Dau an Di san 2024” (Heritage Imprint) Marathon on April 28 on the Trang An-Bai Dinh heritage route. The events are expected to see 1,000-1,500 participants.

Those who love traditional arts will have opportunities to immerse themselves in water puppetry performances, folk songs, and a space to experience the culture of a typical village in the north in Hoa Lu ancient town.

Tran Thi Diep Anh from the Hoa Lu ancient town management board said that besides regular activities, a special art programme named “Ruc ro Hoa Lu” (Colourful Hoa Lu) will be held on April 30 evening, drawing the participation of more than 100 artists, including famous ones like singer My Tam.

It will be open for free to local residents and tourists who can also watch firework displays.

The provincial Tourism Department has sent a document to the management boards of tourism sites and accommodation service establishments to increase the quality of services, take concerted measures to ensure safety for tourists such as guaranteeing conditions for tourism business; and strictly implementing conditions on fire and explosion prevention, environmental sanitation, and food hygiene and safety.

It is also necessary to publicise prices and avoid raising prices and enticing or forcing tourists to buy food, the department stressed.

It said it will also coordinate with the Ninh Binh Tourism Association to mobilise and encourage local hotels to have policies to support service prices for delegations, people, and tourists on this occasion, thus contributing to promoting the image of the land and friendly and hospitable people of Ninh Binh to domestic and international friends.

Ninh Binh is striving to welcome 7.5 million tourists this year.

The Trang An Landscape Complex, which was honoured by UNESCO as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site in 2014, covers a total area of 6,226 hectares within the Trang An limestone massif and is surrounded by a 6,026-ha buffer zone which is mostly made up of rural land with rice paddy fields.

The site spans across 20 communes and wards in five districts and cities of Ninh Binh, comprising the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, the Trang An-Tam Coc-Bich Dong Scenic Landscape, and the Hoa Lu Special-Use Forest./.