Working with Binh Thuan leaders on December 3, Mr Trong said the province, which boasts 52,000 km2 of sea and 92km of coastline, should make a determined effort to protect the environment, preserve cultural identity and manage social affairs effectively.

In his report, provincial Party Committee Secretary and People’s Council Chairman Huynh Van Ty said Binh Thuan has achieved high economic growth and positive economic restructuring in recent years.

Mr Ty said the service and tourism industry currently accounts for 41 percent of the province’s gross domestic product (GDP), followed by the industrial sector (33 percent), and the agricultural sector (26 percent). The province’s per capita GDP reaches US$681 a year.

He said Binh Thuan province has attracted large numbers of large-scale projects and visitors from inside and outside the country.

During his trip, NA Chairman Trong visited Mui Ne ward, Phan Thiet city, where he met with local authorities and residents.

Mui Ne is an important part of Phat Thiet’s strategy to develop sea- and tourism-based economy. It is home to 64 tourism facilities, especially fashional resorts on beautiful beaches, which has welcomed about 1.8 million visitors and tourists from home and abroad since the beginning of this year.