Bac Kan awakens its tourism potential.

Possessing a truly unique beauty with natural landscapes resembling a heavenly paradise, Bac Kan is always a worthy destination for tourists. Its cool climate makes it convenient for visitors to explore at any time of year, as each season brings its own distinct charm.

Ba Be National Park, with its rich and diverse natural tourism resources such as Ba Be Lake, Tien Pond, Ba Goa Island, An Ma Temple, Puong Cave, Dau Dang Waterfall, Tat Ma Waterfall, Nang River, Hua Ma Cave, Na Phoong Cave, Tham Kit Cave, Tham Phay Cave, along with primeval forests and stilt houses along the lake preserving the long-standing traditional culture of ethnic minorities, creates a majestic natural landscape suitable for the development of ecotourism, relaxation, sightseeing, scientific research, cultural tourism, adventure tourism, and community tourism, attracting domestic and international tourists.

Unlocking the tourism potential of Bac Kan province. Photo: Internet

In addition, Bac Kan also has Nang Tien Cave, Kim Hy Nature Reserve (Na Ri); Nam Xuan Lac Species and Habitat Conservation Area (Cho Don); Ban Chang Lake, Na Khoang Waterfall (Ngan Son); Bac Waterfall, Room Waterfall, Nam Cat Lake (Bac Kan City)...

Regarding historical and cultural relics, Bac Kan has 120 relics, including 2 special national relics, 7 national relics, 55 provincial relics, and 56 relics included in the inventory. Along with these is a system of intangible cultural heritage with 291 identified and inventoried items, including 20 items included in the national intangible cultural heritage list and 1 intangible cultural heritage of humanity. This is a rich and diverse cultural resource, creating an attraction for tourists, especially international tourists.

The province also boasts many prominent revolutionary historical sites such as: the Cho Don Special National Historical Site, Na Tu Historical Site, Phu Thong Fort Historical Site, and the Deo Giang Victory Historical Site... These locations bear the imprint of a bygone era, reflecting the revolutionary life and activities of President Ho Chi Minh, senior leaders of the Party, State, army, and people of Bac Kan.

Furthermore, Bac Kan province's tourism potential also lies in its diverse and rich culture (customs, traditions, and festivals of the Tay, Nung, Mong, and Dao ethnic groups). The melodies of then, tinh, sli, luon, etc., are deeply rooted in the cultural identity of the highland people.

The coming-of-age ceremony of the Dao Tien people in Khang Ninh commune, Ba Be district. Photo: Internet

Currently, the province is implementing the planning for the Ba Be Lake and surrounding areas, a special national scenic site; and the planning for the preservation, restoration, and rehabilitation of the Cho Don ATK (Anti-French Resistance Zone) special national historical site, as a basis for attracting investment, developing tourism infrastructure, and preserving the value of historical sites in a sustainable manner. It is also implementing the project on applying information technology to serve smart tourism in Bac Kan province; and the project on distinctive tourism products and perfecting model projects for rural tourism associated with the construction of new rural areas in Bac Kan province during the 2021-2025 period in Phieng An village, Quang Thuan commune, Bach Thong district and Chua Lai village, Thanh Van commune, Cho Moi district.

To stimulate the growth of domestic and international tourists from Hanoi and other provinces and cities nationwide to Bac Kan, in April, Bac Kan organized a conference to promote tourism destinations in Hanoi, coinciding with the VITM Hanoi 2022 International Tourism Fair. This event aimed to both promote tourism and attract investment for tourism development in Bac Kan. It is planned that from now until 2025, Bac Kan will continue to organize tourism promotion conferences in Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City. Simultaneously, it will proactively host and participate in regional, national, and international tourism promotion and marketing events.

Mr. Pham Duy Hung, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee and Head of the Organizing Committee, speaks at the "Bac Kan Culture and Tourism Week". Photo: Thanh Tung

With the above solutions, Bac Kan is striving to achieve the following goals: By 2025, develop Ba Be Tourist Area into a national tourist area, Nam Cat Lake Tourist Area into a provincial-level tourist area, with each district and city having at least one recognized tourist spot or area; by 2030, Bac Kan's tourism industry will essentially become a key economic sector of the province, in accordance with Resolution No. 18-NQ/TU dated August 12, 2021 of the Provincial Party Committee on tourism development for the period 2021-2025, with orientation to 2030.

By 2030, Bac Kan's tourism industry is envisioned to become a key economic sector of the province; attracting approximately 50,000 international tourists and 1,700,000 domestic tourists; total revenue from tourism is estimated at over 2,500 billion VND, equivalent to 10% of the province's GRDP; and 60% of the tourism workforce will have received professional training in tourism.

Diem Giang