Sa Pa, the "town in the mist," has been named among the top 50 most beautiful small towns in the world by CNTraveller.
In an interview with Thanh Nien newspaper, Mr. Trinh Xuan Truong, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Committee of Lao Cai province, shared his heartfelt thoughts on Lao Cai's efforts to make a breakthrough in the province's green industry and create something different.
*After the severe impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, how has tourism in Lao Cai recovered to date, sir?
- Mr. Trinh Xuan Truong: Developing tourism – a non-polluting industry – has been identified by Lao Cai province as one of the four pillars of the province's economic development. In the period from 2016 to 2019, Lao Cai's tourism experienced rapid and strong growth, becoming the "locomotive" of the Northwest region in particular and the northern midland and mountainous areas in general. However, the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 severely impacted the province's non-polluting industry.
Despite the negative impacts of the pandemic, the province implemented timely and flexible solutions, adapting to changing tourism trends, especially the trend towards safe tourism. As a result, Lao Cai continued to attract a relatively large number of domestic tourists while tourism in many other localities hit rock bottom.
Having overcome a difficult period, Lao Cai's tourism industry showed strong signs of recovery in the early months of 2022. In particular, after the government allowed full reopening, Lao Cai welcomed its first international visitors. By the end of 2022, the province had received over 4.6 million visitors, including 96,919 international tourists and the remainder being domestic tourists.
With the rapid increase in tourist numbers, we continue to innovate our thinking, vision, and development orientation for tourism in the next phase. Adhering to the goal of making tourism a breakthrough and strategic sector for the 2020-2025 period, the province has established a Department of Tourism to strengthen this economic sector and enhance the capacity of state management of tourism in the area.
In the first 10 months of 2023, Lao Cai welcomed 6.5 million tourists, reaching 108% of the annual target and increasing by 66% compared to the same period in 2022. During this same time, Sa Pa was ranked among the top 50 most beautiful small towns in the world by an American magazine. Lao Cai has consistently been a leading locality in tourism growth in the Northern mountainous region and the expanded Northwestern region of Vietnam (combining 8 provinces).
*In your opinion, what factors have contributed to the impressive recovery and development of tourism in Lao Cai in recent times?
-Firstly, this is thanks to the determined spirit and decisive involvement of the Provincial Party Committee, the Provincial People's Council, the Provincial People's Committee, and local Party committees and authorities in the province; the smooth coordination between the government and the Provincial Tourism Association, and the tourism business community in the area, in developing new products and creating an attractive and civilized tourism environment.
Resolution No. 11 dated August 27, 2021, of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee on the development of tourism in Lao Cai province until 2030, with a vision to 2050, has helped the tourism industry recover and develop many new tourism products associated with cultural characteristics and ethnic identity. Tourism products are increasingly diverse and attractive, better meeting the growing needs of domestic and international tourists. State management of tourism has been strengthened, ensuring synchronicity and effectiveness. Investment in tourism-related projects from non-budgetary sources has also been boosted, contributing to meeting investment needs in key tourism areas of the province. Tourism promotion and marketing have received attention and focus, with the setting of comprehensive and breakthrough goals and solutions.
At the same time, we must promote the dynamism, creativity, and driving role of the business community in accelerating the recovery and development of the tourism industry.
The Rose Festival, part of the Sa Pa Summer Festival, contributed to attracting a record number of visitors to the town during the April 30th - May 1st holiday this year.
One of the highlights of the past year was the effective organization of typical events, especially the series of events commemorating 120 years of Sa Pa tourism such as: the 2023 VTV Cup International Women's Volleyball Tournament; adventure sports tourism products such as marathon, cycling, mountain climbing, paragliding, kayaking, camping, and offroad challenger in various localities (Sa Pa, Bac Ha, Bat Xat); the Bao Ha Temple Festival (Bao Yen); the summer festival "Sa Pa - Land of Love"; and tourism products such as the reenactment of the Sa Pa love market, Sa Pa - Brocade and Flowers… which attracted tourists to Lao Cai.
Most recently, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Fansipan cable car line, Sun World Fansipan Legend tourist area launched the Ban May tourist destination. We believe this is a truly unique tourism product because visitors can explore all the most distinctive tangible and intangible cultural features of Northwest Vietnam in one place. This is also a place where ethnic minority people directly manage, operate, and participate in the activities of Ban May. I hope this will be a highlight in the journey of tourists exploring Fansipan peak.
*You just mentioned the Fansipan cable car, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary. How do you assess the role of the cable car line and the investor, Sun Group, in the development of tourism in Sa Pa and Lao Cai?
-2012 marked the first time Sun Group surveyed and worked in Sa Pa. From 2013, the authorities of Lao Cai and Sa Pa collaborated with the company to begin the project. By 2016, Sun Group had inaugurated the 3-wire cable car complex, setting several world records.
During the period 2000-2019, the average annual growth rate of tourists in Lao Cai reached 18.27% (international tourists: 9.6%, domestic tourists: 24.3%); in the last 10 years, 2009-2019, the average growth rate was 22.0% per year (international tourists: 9.4%; domestic tourists: 27.7%). This is a high growth rate compared to the average growth rate of tourists visiting the Northwest mountainous region.
The Fansipan cable car line is considered a "miracle of Vietnamese ingenuity" due to the difficulty of its construction.
Looking at those results, it's clear that tourism in Sa Pa, Lao Cai has made an impressive breakthrough. With determination, sound direction, and thoughtful and visionary investment from strategic investors, especially Sun Group, along with the leadership of the Sa Pa and Lao Cai authorities, the potential and strengths of Sa Pa have been awakened.
Over the past 10 years, Sun Group has successively created an ecosystem of world-class projects in Fansipan, Sa Pa. The Sun Group ecosystem in Sa Pa has become the main driving force behind the rapid development of Sa Pa tourism, making a significant contribution to the development of the province's tourism economy.
Even during the difficult and challenging period following the Covid-19 pandemic, Lao Cai province was recognized as one of the localities with the strongest recovery rate in the country. In the first six months of 2023, Lao Cai was among the top 10 localities in the country in terms of tourism revenue. This achievement is undeniably thanks to the determined efforts and cooperation of the local government and the business community, with Sun Group always being a pioneer and leader.
Based on the values that Sun Group brings, I believe that the criteria and guidelines for selecting investors, ensuring that Sa Pa, Lao Cai has high-quality products and services that meet the demands of tourists and are suitable for the local area, have proven the correctness of the provincial government's decisions in recent years.
*Lao Cai has always had the slogan "Businesses prosper, Lao Cai develops; Entrepreneurs unite, the government will support." How is this reflected in the breakthrough of tourism in Sa Pa and Lao Cai in recent times, through the solidarity of the government - businesses - people in these localities?
- The slogan "Businesses prosper, Lao Cai develops; Entrepreneurs unite, the government will support" is the policy aimed at effectively exploiting and utilizing the province's resources; maximizing internal resources and taking full advantage of external resources for investment and development.
The slogan serves as a guiding principle for provincial authorities at all levels to organize and implement measures to promote the development of local economic sectors, not just tourism. For example, the province's tourism sector set a target of 6 million visitors in 2023, but in the first 10 months of this year, the total number of tourists to Lao Cai has already reached 6.5 million, and the target for the end of 2023 is over 7 million. This result demonstrates the strength of unity and cooperation among the government, businesses, and people. This achievement is largely due to the significant contributions of the business community operating in the tourism sector, especially Sun Group.
With a decade of experience and vision dedicated to Sa Pa, Sun Group's contributions to the locality extend beyond creating high-quality, world-class products to boost tourism; they also encompass aspects of sharing, connection, and sustainability.
"Sharing" here means: Thanks to the cable car and the Sun World Fansipan Legend tourist complex, Sa Pa welcomes millions of tourists every year. This has led to a dramatic increase in accommodation, food, and passenger transportation services. Previously, the elderly and children couldn't climb it, but now everyone has the opportunity to conquer Fansipan peak and admire the majestic beauty of nature and the summit itself.
Ban May, a place that brings together the unique cultures of five ethnic minority groups in Sa Pa.
"Connecting" - We highly appreciate Sun Group's role in the Lao Cai and Sa Pa Tourism Association. Over the past period, Sun Group has consistently sought out and connected with embassies and international travel agencies to ensure that Sa Pa not only attracts domestic tourists but also enhances its appeal to international visitors.
Finally, the "Sustainability" aspect means that Sun Group not only beautifies the land but also promotes and exploits distinctive cultural values. Recently, Sun Group launched the Ban May tourist area, connected with the ethnic groups of Northwest Vietnam, Lao Cai, and Sa Pa. This is also a product that allows us to "transform heritage into assets," developing tourism while preserving ethnic cultural identity. This not only contributes to promoting cultural heritage but also shares benefits harmoniously with the community and local people. The ethnic minority people also directly manage, operate, and participate in the activities of this Ban May tourist area.
Respecting and promoting local cultural values, coupled with prioritizing the employment of local workers, has ensured that Sun Group's development is always closely linked to the development of the locality, its people, and the business community, not just the company itself. This will contribute to the sustainable development of the company in particular and tourism in Sa Pa and Lao Cai in general.
*Based on these initial successes, what are the plans and goals for tourism in Lao Cai in the coming period, sir?
- To promote awareness and change mindsets regarding responsible tourism development, environmental protection, and the creation of a civilized tourism environment, thereby mobilizing the participation of the entire political system, the community, tourism businesses, and tourists.
In the coming time, we will continue to organize tourism events to become unique tourism products such as the "Essence of Northwest Vietnam" Festival, the Bac Ha White Plateau, the "Love and Rose Festival"; the Sa Pa Snow Festival; recreating the Sa Pa Love Market; Sa Pa tourism products - brocade and flowers... Developing high-quality tourism products and services, and nighttime services to attract high-spending tourists and extend their stay. In 2024, Lao Cai will launch a new and unique cultural tourism product: the "Red River Festival".
Millions of dreams of "conquering" the sacred peak of Fansipan - the Roof of Indochina - have come true after the inauguration of the cable car line.
Simultaneously, coordinate and effectively exploit the model tour product "Two Countries, Six Destinations: Kunming - Honghe Prefecture (China) - Sa Pa (Lao Cai) - Hanoi - Hai Phong - Quang Ninh (Vietnam); Develop agricultural experience tourism products combined with relaxation and health care associated with agricultural products, promote the One Commune One Product (OCOP) program, and produce characteristic products to sell to tourists.
In addition, the province will create favorable conditions to promote the dynamism, creativity, and driving role of the business community in accelerating the recovery and development of tourism; striving to make Lao Cai the most attractive destination in the northern mountainous region; and one of the top 10 most favorite destinations in Vietnam for tourists.
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