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| Khanh Hoa has been recognized as the best coastal province of Vietnam |
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In recent years, Khanh Hoa has been named as one of the leading provinces in terms of tax returns to the state budget. The provincial average economic growth reached 12 percent and average income per capita totaled US$1,800. These achievements were due mainly to its local tourism, aquaculture and shipbuilding.
Tourism plays the most important role in Khanh Hoa's socioeconomic development.
Khanh Hoa has been recognized as the best coastal province of Vietnam as it possesses almost all of the most beautiful bays and coral reefs of Vietnam, including Van Phong, Hon Khoi, Nha Phu, Nha Trang and Cam Ranh bays and coral reefs around the Truong Sa Archipelago.
Van Phong Bay is the biggest bay in Khanh Hoa, covering around 503sq.km of the province's coastal waters. This natural wonder is blessed with warm weather, beautiful beaches, coral reefs and mountain chains.
Nha Trang Bay is the second biggest bay in Khanh Hoa, and is scattered with chains of islands including Hon Tre the biggest and most beautiful island in Nha Trang Bay.
Cam Ranh Bay is the third biggest bay in Khanh Hoa, covering around 185sq.m. It is secluded from harsh winds, making it a favorable location for aquaculture.
Other destinations in Khanh Hoa include Bai Tru and Bai Tre beaches; the national natural protected coastal area of Hon Mun with coral reefs and unspoilt maritime ecosystem; Hon Tam and Hon Cha La islands well-known as the homes of swift bird colonies, that provide their famous nutritional bird's nest delicacies.
Many tourist sites, resorts, high-class hotels have emerged in Khanh Hoa including Vinpearl, Hon Tam, Hon Chong, Ana Mandara, Nha Trang Lodge, Yasaka-Nha Trang-Saigon, Sunrise, Nha Trang Sheraton Hotel & Spa, Novotel, and Nha Trang Center. They have all contributed to turning Khanh Hoa into a province based on tourism and event organization and make it an unforgettable tourist destination in Vietnam.
Aquaculture also plays an important role in Khanh Hoa's socioeconomic development.
According to scientists from the Institution of Oceanography in Nha Trang City, there are around 600 marine species in the seas of Khanh Hoa and 50 species that offer high-economic returns. Khanh Hoa's annual sea fishing capacity reached between 40,000-50,000 tonnes of a total estimated annual reserve of 150,000 tonnes.
Aquaculture and seafood processing are Khanh Hoa's spearhead industries. Some of its sea products and fish sauces have been widely introduced in local and international markets.
However, both industries continue renovating their technological infrastructure so as to better meet increased demands of their product quality and to increase the value added to their products.
Shipbuilding also supports Khanh Hoa's socioeconomic development.
As of now, the province has had three large-scale shipyards including the Nha Trang shipyard, the Cam Ranh shipyard under the Nha Trang Shipbuilding Industry Company and the Hyundai Vinashin Shipyard Company. These shipyards have built some 10,000 tonne ships under locally and internationally signed contracts.
Naturally favored with deep-water seas, Khanh Hoa has potential to construct different types of ports including international cargo terminal port and container transshipment port. There are now some of such ports constructed in the province including the Ba Ngoi International Cargo Terminal, the Cau Da International Cargo Terminal and Tourist Service Port, the Hon Khoi Local Cargo Terminal, Van Phong Container Trans-shipment Port, and Cam Ranh Port.
The continual development of Khanh Hoa's seaport system offers its shipbuilding industry a very good opportunity to expand in the future.
Experts agreed that Khanh Hoa's potential to develop maritime economy has not been fully expanded and provincial authorities should consider additional incentive policies so as to attract more local and foreign investors.
In the near future, Khanh Hoa's local authorities will draw up a master plan for investment in its infrastructure favorable for development of all of its maritime economic industries. In addition, the province will manage to complete projects for large-scale economic and industrial zones and will improve its service industry.
By Ngo Hoa