From villages perched on mountain slopes to terraced fields floating in the clouds, highland tourism always has its own appeal thanks to its majestic natural beauty and unique cultural identity. In recent years, along with the policy of developing mountain tourism, localities have begun to take advantage of digital transformation as a "push" to promote the tourism industry.
Digital transformation and green transformation – two phrases that seemed very “distant”, have now become close and familiar to the people of the highland villages in Lao Cai , and are becoming a “lever” to help the tourism industry develop sustainably, harmonizing between modernization and preserving identity.
Majestic landscapes and unique ethnic culture help attract tourists to Y Ty
In the highland commune of Y Ty, Lao Cai province – famous for its wild beauty and traditional culture of the Ha Nhi people – people now not only wait for visitors, but also proactively use smartphones and social networks to promote the image of their homeland to domestic and international friends.
Mr. Ly Xa Xuy - owner of Homestay Y Ty Cloud shared: "In Y Ty, there will be cloud hunting season, ripe rice season, water pouring season... Besides, there are also festivals of the Ha Nhi people. Before taking advantage of Facebook, Zalo, the number of visitors to Y Ty as well as the homestay was very small. Since using social networks such as Facebook, Zalo, TikTok to spread images, things to advertise, the number of visitors to Y Ty has increased".
Lao Cai strives to welcome 15 million visitors by 2030.
From the traditional method of attracting customers based on the advantages of landscape, identity and travel network, many tourist establishments have now transformed strongly thanks to technology. Not only booking rooms online, promoting products via social networks, many units also build customer data systems, integrate QR codes at destinations, digitize payment processes, receive feedback... These solutions not only help save resources but also improve professionalism, expand competitiveness in the market.
Mr. Vuong Anh Tien - Chairman of the Board of Directors of Eco Garden Tram Tau resort said: "Applying digital technology will make tourists feel more secure. Through review sites, customers will know whether the unit is doing a good job or not. Besides, on the guide pages, people will know whether the unit has rooms or not, no need to call directly anymore".
By scanning the QR code, visitors can get information about destinations, tours and tourism products in Lao Cai.
Lao Cai province currently has 35 recognized tourist areas and destinations, including prominent national destinations such as Sa Pa, Mu Cang Chai terraced fields, Thac Ba lake... The whole province has over 2,100 accommodation establishments with about 20,600 rooms, including many 4-5 star hotels and more than 700 homestays serving tourists.
Thanks to promoting digital transformation and enhancing marketing solutions, in the first 6 months of 2025, Lao Cai welcomed 7.3 million visitors, with total revenue reaching more than 21,000 billion VND. Destinations such as Sa Pa, Bac Ha, Nghia Lo, Tram Tau, Mu Cang Chai... continue to play a leading role, making tourism a key economic sector of the locality.
However, Lao Cai tourism still faces a number of challenges such as: uneven awareness of international integration, limited promotion activities in foreign markets; unsynchronized transport infrastructure, poor service quality and human resources, as more than half of the industry's workers have not received formal training; natural and cultural resources are also under great pressure, many conservation areas and relics are degraded and encroached upon...
Tourists explore Ta Xua moss forest (Tram Tau district, old Yen Bai province)
According to Mr. Vu Dai Duong - Permanent Vice President of Lao Cai Tourism Association, owner of Le Gecko Sa Pa restaurant chain, green and sustainable development should be identified as the core principle in Lao Cai's tourism orientation. Digital transformation is inevitable, but digitalization does not necessarily attract many tourists. The important thing is to preserve identity and protect the environment.
"The issue that people are very concerned and worried about now is the environment. Because the number of tourists is increasing, while the infrastructure that was built a long time ago can no longer meet the demand, leading to pollution. The construction and development process also causes the green tree system to be destroyed and not regenerated in time. Therefore, the environmental issue is becoming more and more urgent and needs more attention.
Sa Pa in the rice harvest season.
The second is the issue of traffic connection. Currently, the route from Nghia Lo, Mu Cang Chai to Sa Pa is still very difficult. We hope that the local government will soon upgrade the infrastructure connecting these tourist destinations. In addition, maintaining and preserving the cultural identity of ethnic groups is also an extremely important issue that needs to be given due attention in the process of tourism development," said Mr. Vu Dai Duong.
Faced with opportunities and challenges, Lao Cai has been setting goals and solutions to focus on breakthroughs in the tourism industry such as: perfecting the management apparatus; developing high-quality human resources; promoting digital transformation, protecting the environment; building unique tourism products and promoting international cooperation. In particular, Sa Pa national tourist area is oriented to become an ecological, modern, international-standard resort center... With the goal of becoming the most attractive destination in the Northern mountainous region, by 2030, welcoming 15 million visitors, revenue of over 71 trillion VND, creating about 65 thousand jobs... This is not only a challenge, but also a driving force for Lao Cai to assert itself, rising to become a symbol of green, smart and sustainable tourism in the Northwest region and the whole country.
According to VOV
Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/chuyen-doi-so-don-bay-hieu-qua-cho-du-lich-vung-cao-lao-cai-20250715085438411.htm
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