Dak Lak strives to make tourism a key economic sector in the new development phase.

Dak Lak – a majestic mountainous region of the Central Highlands – is undergoing a powerful transformation with a strategic vision: to turn tourism into a key economic sector, directly contributing to sustainable growth, reviving traditional cultural values, and promoting widespread regional linkages. The adjustment and merger of administrative boundaries and the consolidation of development space with Phu Yen have given the province a more diverse tourism landscape, preserving its rich cultural heritage while expanding its reach towards the sea, creating a unique competitive advantage compared to many other destinations.

Drai Yong Waterfall boasts a pristine and picturesque landscape. (Photo: Tran Huu Hat)

Building a tourism identity within a unified space.

Dak Lak's tourism resources, in their new structure, possess a rare diversity of ecosystems and multi-layered spatial environments. The forest space in Yok Don National Park, with its endemic dry forest ecosystem rarely found in Vietnam, creates a distinct mark for ecotourism and adventure tourism. Along with this, Lak Lake – the largest natural lake in the Central Highlands – and the system of waterfalls including Dray Nur, Gia Long, and Drai Yong… form a chain of experiences. The pristine natural environment is in line with the trends of green tourism, adventure tourism, and in-depth experiential tourism .

The consolidation of Phu Yen's marine space has added to Dak Lak a strip of marine and island resources with rich potential, featuring typical destinations such as Dai Lanh Cape - the place that welcomes the first sunrise on the Vietnamese mainland . Vung Ro Bay, its pristine beaches, coastal fishing villages, and unique marine ecosystem are all part of this expansion. This not only enriches tourism products but also facilitates the development of interconnected tourism routes from the mountains to the sea, increasing the depth and diversity of experiences in Dak Lak.

Dai Lanh Cape - The place that welcomes the first sunrise on the Vietnamese mainland. (Photo: Le Hong Nguyen)

Alongside its natural beauty, the province boasts a rich cultural landscape, playing a pivotal role in its sustainable tourism development strategy. This includes the Central Highlands Gong Culture – a representative Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity; the Ede and M'Nong villages that still maintain their traditional longhouses, harvest festivals, and the Dam San epic, passed down and preserved through the communities themselves. After the merger, this picture has been enriched with the depth of maritime culture, encompassing fishermen's beliefs, coastal folk festivals, and distinctive culinary traditions, creating a harmonious blend of the culture of the highlands and the sea.

Based on those natural and cultural resources, Dak Lak's tourism identity is being repositioned within the unified space of "vast forests - blue sea" . This is not a mechanical combination of forest and sea elements, but a new development structure that allows for the organization of tourism activities. tourism activities Multi-space, multi-destination, meeting the trend of deep, slow, and experiential tourism, while enhancing the competitiveness and recognition of Dak Lak as a destination in the new development phase.

The radiant beauty of an Ede girl amidst the mountains and forests of the Central Highlands. (Photo: Phan Minh Tho)

Strategy for upgrading services and developing new tourism products.

In the Tourism Development Plan for the period 2021 - For the period 2025 and with a vision extending to 2030, Dak Lak province has clearly identified priority product groups including: ecotourism, community tourism, cultural and historical tourism, and beach tourism, based on leveraging the province's advantages after the merger. This is considered a strategic foundation for gradually realizing the goal of developing tourism into a key economic sector.

In fact, many new tourism products have been and are being developed, such as trekking in the dry forest of Yok Don National Park, mountain climbing, kayaking, mountain biking, agricultural experiences, etc., while also researching connections with beach tourism, resort and water sports products in the former Phu Yen area. Developing products in a continuous spatial chain helps Dak Lak. Extending the tourist season increases the length of stay and boosts tourist spending .

In addition, the province is developing a survey plan and Developing ecotourism products such as forest and beach resorts, agricultural tourism, community tourism, traditional craft villages, and OCOP (One Commune One Product) programs will create a foundation for forming tours and routes. tourism Characteristic and fully reflecting the journey of experience from the vast forests to the blue sea .

Vung Ro Bay stands out with its pristine landscape, clear blue waters, and long stretches of fine white sand. (Photo: Nguyen Minh Tan)

Aiming to improve service quality, Dak Lak province has identified digital transformation and technology application as breakthrough solutions. In the new phase, the province is focusing on building a digital tourism map and a visitor information and guidance system, while also researching and implementing smart tourism solutions such as cameras and sensors at key tourist areas and destinations to improve management efficiency, enhance services, and improve the visitor experience.

Through these solutions, Dak Lak is gradually realizing the model. Multi-ecological and multi-spatial tourism , linking tourism development with specific growth targets. By 2025, the province strives to welcome... 7.6 million visitors , total revenue approximately 14.1 trillion VND , with domestic tourists continuing to play a fundamental role, while international tourists are being expanded through the aviation system and inter-regional coastal and forest tourism routes.

Dak Lak's goal is not just to increase the number of tourists, but more importantly, to To enhance the quality of the experience , build an image of a friendly, civilized destination rich in cultural identity, and ensure harmony between tourism development and the conservation of forest and marine resources.

The change in administrative boundaries has not only expanded the development space but also broadened the province's strategic vision for tourism development. From a locality associated with the image of vast forests, Dak Lak has now become a province capable of connecting experiences from forests to the sea, from traditional culture to the ocean, thereby enhancing tourism competitiveness and creating momentum for sustainable economic development.

With the right direction, a rich cultural foundation, and a synchronized implementation system, Dak Lak is gradually asserting its position as a convergence destination where tourists can fully experience the allure of the vast forests, the expansiveness of the sea, and the resilience in preserving traditional cultural values ​​in its new development journey.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/dak-lak-no-luc-dua-du-lich-tro-thanh-nganh-kinh-te-mui-nhon-trong-giai-doan-phat-trien-moi-20251216150636463.htm