Digital transformation is transforming tourism.

- In the context of the rapidly unfolding Fourth Industrial Revolution, digital transformation has become an inevitable trend in all fields, including tourism. In Lang Son province, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism is implementing a comprehensive range of digital transformation solutions, considering this a crucial driving force to improve management efficiency, increase competitiveness, and enhance the visitor experience.

Tourists scan the QR code to find information about Tam Thanh Pagoda.

Visiting Tam Thanh Pagoda in Lang Son City for the first time, Mr. Nguyen Van Hoi from Kien An Ward, Hai Phong City, was quite surprised to find that the pagoda's management board had incorporated digital technology to serve tourists. Right at the pagoda gate, there are QR codes for visitors to check in and learn information about Tam Thanh Pagoda and tourism in Lang Son. Mr. Hoi said: "By scanning the QR code with my smartphone, I can see a panoramic view of Tam Thanh Pagoda from above, as well as see 3D virtual reality images of the pagoda's spaces. The application also includes explanations about the pagoda's formation process and the meaning of each space within. This is a very interesting experience that not every tourist destination offers."

Besides impressing visitors with its technological features at the destination, the digital app also helps tourists prepare for their trip in advance. Mr. Nguyen Xuan Tung from Hiep Hoa, Bac Giang shared: "As someone who loves to explore, before coming to Lang Son I visited websites to learn about tourism in the province and downloaded the 'Lang Son Tourism' app. Here, I learned a lot of useful information. Therefore, even though I only had two days in Lang Son, I was able to explore many places such as Tam Thanh Pagoda, Nhi Thanh Cave, Mac Dynasty Citadel, Quynh Son Community Cultural Village (Bac Son), and especially discover famous Lang Son dishes that are highly praised by the locals."

The amenities that tourists like Mr. Tung and Mr. Hoi experience are the result of the proactive and decisive efforts of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism in applying technology and gradually building a smart tourism ecosystem.

Visitors listen to explanations about the ancestral church of the Vi family, located in the Vi Family Memorial Site, Khuất Xá commune, Lộc Bình district.

Mr. Luu Ba Mac, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said: "We consider digital transformation as the key to improving management efficiency, enhancing service quality, and gradually developing Lang Son tourism in a smart and sustainable direction. In the past, the department has advised the Provincial People's Committee to issue many plans, most notably the plan for developing the smart tourism system of Lang Son province for the period 2021-2025."

The focus of the plan is to build a smart tourism portal, develop a mobile application, integrate digital maps, digitize tourism data, and implement virtual reality (3D) tours. To date, the Lang Son provincial tourism portal has become operational, integrating many features such as digital maps, smart search, online service booking, and experience sharing and reviews. From 2023 to the present, the portal has received over 6.1 million visits, demonstrating the strong appeal and interest from tourists in Lang Son province. The virtual reality tour system has been implemented at 31 typical tourist destinations in the province, allowing tourists to explore Lang Son remotely, even without visiting in person. In addition, the "Lang Son Tourism" application on smartphones is also widely used by locals and tourists to search for information and plan their itineraries. The province's tourism database system is digitized and continuously updated with information on destinations, tour programs, accommodations, restaurants, entertainment areas, etc. This not only effectively supports management but also facilitates quick and accurate access to information for tourists and businesses. In addition, social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok are also used by the Department to promote Lang Son's tourism image, effectively attracting young, dynamic, and tech-savvy customers.

In addition to technological infrastructure, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism also regularly trains and develops digital skills for its officials and employees. Enhancing digital capabilities helps staff better adapt to the modern work environment, proficiently use digital platforms in management, promotion, serving tourists, and supporting businesses. This, in turn, creates a flexible and professional administrative apparatus, ready to lead the digital transformation process throughout the entire sector.

Mr. Vu Duy Hung, Head of the Nhi Thanh - Tam Thanh - Mac Dynasty Citadel Relics Team at the Lang Son City Cultural and Sports Center, said: "The introduction of digital technology to serve tourists at historical sites has been enthusiastically received. This not only helps them have more meaningful experiences and understand more about the historical value of the sites, but also contributes to promoting tourism in Lang Son province. We also use social media to promote our events, thereby attracting more and more tourists to visit."

The application of digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI) has yielded positive results, making it easier for tourists to find information and build convenient travel itineraries. Digital platforms have also become effective bridges between tourists, businesses, and management agencies, helping to receive real-world feedback and improve services promptly. As a result, promotional activities have become more vibrant, diverse, and accessible to both domestic and international markets.

In 2024, Lang Son welcomed over 4.2 million tourists (a 7.6% increase compared to 2023), achieving 103.8% of the plan. Tourism revenue was estimated at VND 4,350 billion (a 38.6% increase), contributing approximately 5.4% to the province's GRDP. From the beginning of 2025 until now, the number of tourists visiting the province has continued to increase significantly.

With the positive results brought about by digital transformation, in the coming time, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism will continue to closely coordinate with relevant agencies, businesses and technology partners to complete the smart tourism ecosystem. The goal is to make Lang Son a modern, friendly, and accessible destination, and one of the pioneering localities in digital transformation in the tourism sector of the Northern midland and mountainous region.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/chuyen-doi-so-gop-phan-phat-trien-du-lich-lang-son-5049145.html