Mr Dung made the remarks while attending a meeting in Ninh Binh on March 30 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the reestablishment of the northern province.

Former State President Tran Duc Luong, former Party General Secretary Le Kha Phieu and former National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Van An were also present at the event.

PM Dung highlighted Ninh Binh’s prominent achievements in recent years, especially in Party building work and socio-economic development.

He asked the province to make use of its advantages and resources to create a breakthrough in sustainable economic development. Ninh Binh should apply modern technology to increase product quality, expand export markets and focus on cultural tourism development to turn itself into a leading tourism centre in Vietnam.

On this occasion, the Government leader presented the Independence Order, first class, to Ninh Binh province.

Last year, the province achieved an economic growth rate of 16.1 percent, with industrial, construction and service sectors accounting for 85 percent of its economic structure.

The tourism sector played a key role in Ninh Binh’s economic development. The province welcomed 3.6 million tourists in 2011.

(VOV)