Resort tourism: Harmonizing conservation with investment incentives

Mountain resort tourism in the country holds many opportunities, but according to experts, to turn potential into a real driving force for regional and national development, there needs to be a comprehensive strategy, sustainable infrastructure and policies that both preserve heritage and encourage investment.

Vietnam is a country with mountains covering 3/4 of its area, with many advantages for developing mountain tourism .

Disproportionate development

Currently, mountain resort tourism is strongly developing in the midland and mountainous areas of the North with many unique products: adventure tours to conquer high peaks such as Phan-xi-phang, Ky Quan San, Tay Con Linh; trekking, exploring caves and primeval forests in Hoang Lien and Ba Be National Parks, experiencing community culture, cloud hunting photography. In addition, the Central region with typical products of Phong Nha Ke Bang cave (Quang Binh) or introducing the experience of Ba Na Hills ( Quang Nam ), Bach Ma mountain (Hue city), Langbiang mountain (Lam Dong)... and the imprint of mountain tourism products in the Southern region at Ba Den mountain (Tay Ninh), Ba Ra mountain, Chua Chan (Dong Nai)...

MSc. Nguyen Thi Lan Huong, Vietnam Institute of Culture, Arts, Sports and Tourism, said that the potential of mountain resort tourism in our country is huge. However, the tourism industry faces significant barriers such as the natural environment in sensitive mountainous areas, vulnerable to overexploitation. Limitations in transport infrastructure, service facilities and utilities at many high mountain destinations...

In addition, the risk of commercialization, fading of community cultural identity; lack of policy framework and inter-sectoral management mechanism; weak human resources for mountainous tourism, and incomplete community participation... are also significant challenges in the development process.

Sharing the same view, Dr. Pham Thi Hai Yen - Hanoi University of Culture said that Vietnam possesses rich mountain resources with mountain ranges stretching from North to South: Hoang Lien Son, Tay Nguyen, Truong Son range, Moc Chau plateau, Da Lat, Sa Pa... However, the development of mountain resort tourism is still unsynchronized and not commensurate with the potential.

Many tourists choose the northern mountainous region for their journey of discovery and relaxation. Photo: P. Sy.

Towards sustainable development

Developing mountain resort tourism must go hand in hand with conserving natural resources, preserving indigenous culture and ensuring safety for tourists. To do that, it requires an integrated planning mindset, inter-sectoral coordination and especially the proactive role of the local community. Experts emphasize that it is time for tourism to shift from resource exploitation to value creation, from destination development to building a sustainable resort ecosystem. In this process, science and technology, culture and arts and innovation will be key factors to help improve the quality and competitiveness of Vietnam's mountain resort tourism.

According to Dr. Pham Thi Hai Yen, Vietnam needs to soon develop a National Strategy on mountain resort tourism to position the country as "the leading mountain resort destination in Southeast Asia", aiming for 2035. She believes that it is necessary to diversify products according to seasons and customer groups: summer focuses on retreats and detox; winter develops trekking, mountain sports, and community experiences. In addition, exploiting cultural values ​​and traditional medicine such as Dao leaf baths in Sa Pa, Buddhist meditation in Yen Tu, Central Highlands vegetarian cuisine or Muong herbs will help Vietnam tourism create its own mark, different from other countries in the region.

According to Ms. Yen, mountain resort development must be associated with investment in connecting infrastructure, upgrading tourist routes such as Hanoi - Lao Cai, Ho Chi Minh City - Da Lat, and at the same time standardizing resort and homestay services according to international standards. Along with that, it is necessary to encourage ethnic minorities to participate in providing services, developing community tourism associated with livelihoods, focusing on safety and disaster adaptation. Brand promotion also needs to be promoted, positioning Sa Pa as the "Alps of Vietnam", Da Lat as the "capital of mountain resorts in Southeast Asia", Moc Chau as the "green plateau of community resorts", thereby affirming Vietnam's position on the international tourism map.

Associate Professor Dr. Pham Hong Long - Chairman of the Science and Training Council of the Faculty of Tourism Studies - University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, said that to realize the model of a mountain resort in the direction of sustainable ecology, there needs to be a fundamental change in thinking and action.

This change requires a strong commitment to planning and governance; a shift in private sector business models towards social and environmental responsibility; and most importantly, a genuine empowerment of local communities to become the real owners of tourism resources.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/du-lich-nghi-duong-hai-hoa-bao-ton-voi-khuyen-khich-dau-tu-20251024160630185.htm