Tourism in border regions

In early 2024, many tourist groups flocked to Ban Gioc Waterfall (Trung Khanh district, Cao Bang province) - one of the famous destinations in the border region.

It's not just about tourism and relaxation.

Thùy Linh from Ho Chi Minh City, along with a group of nearly 30 people, went on a business trip combined with tourism in the Cao Bang and Bac Kan regions. After stressful working days, the group combined work with sightseeing, learning about the lives of the local people; visiting the Pac Bo National Special Historical Site with Lenin Stream and Karl Marx Mountain; and going boating on Ba Be Lake…

Passing through Cao Bang, the group's vehicle traveled along the border road to the Ban Gioc Waterfall Border Control Station. The entire group, filled with emotion, stepped onto the border between Vietnam and China, taking photos at the border marker with indescribable feelings. These young women, who usually live in the city, now had more time to chat with the border guards on duty protecting the homeland and listen to the people in the border region recount their lives, struggling to make a living while clinging to their villages.

Tourists visit a tourist destination in Cao Bang province. Photo: VAN KIEN

Ms. Ngoc Thanh (residing in District 3, Ho Chi Minh City) also recently returned from a trip to the Northeast and Northwest regions. Her itinerary included both first-time and many return visits. She noticed that tourism in this area has developed rapidly, systematically, and is more attractive to visitors. At Ban Gioc Waterfall, the access road is clean and well-maintained, retaining its pristine beauty. Ba Be Lake is busier than before with the return of international tourists after the COVID-19 pandemic. At rest stops in O Quy Ho Pass (Lao Cai) and Pha Din Pass (Son La), locals are bustling with activity, selling and introducing local specialties in a very friendly and hospitable manner.

The terrain of the northeastern and northwestern provinces, bordering the country, is a melting pot of diverse ethnic minority cultures and majestic natural landscapes. Immersing themselves in nature and experiencing the local culture, visitors can also enjoy the sounds of the khene (a type of bamboo flute), the traditional flute, and the dances of the highland youth. In particular, they spend considerable time savoring rare local specialties not commonly found in the lowlands.

Having been closely associated with the Northeast and Northwest regions for many years, Mr. Tran The Dung, Deputy Director of The Young Generation Tourism Company, believes that tourism connects visitors with border areas and landmarks that evoke strong emotions in every Vietnamese person who has the opportunity to visit. Visitors can leisurely travel by boat through the land where the majestic Da River, Gam River, and Nam Tao (Red River) flow over mountains, or immerse themselves in the cultural identity of the Ha Nhi, La Hu, and Si La ethnic groups with their unique customs in this border region.

"New tours have been launched or added, such as itineraries exploring the remote Northwest border region through Thu Lum and Keng Mo in Lai Chau, where the Da River flows into Vietnam. Tours following the border conquer Khoan La San mountain and reach A Pa Chai – the border marker where three countries meet – create a special impression on tourists. We hope that these new tours will receive support from many organizations, encouraging local people to participate in tourism," Mr. Dung said.

When banks act as a "bridge for capital"

In Vietnam's Tourism Development Strategy to 2030, community-based tourism and agro-rural tourism are considered key tourism types. Developing this type of tourism not only contributes to preserving and promoting inherent cultural values ​​but also creates sustainable livelihoods for the people.

Spring arrives in Y Tý commune, Bát Xát district, Lào Cai province. Photo: VŨ PHI LONG

Speaking at the recent Conference on Rapid and Sustainable Tourism Development in Vietnam, chaired by the Prime Minister, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan shared that he had visited Son La – where Trang A Chu and his wife (of the Mong ethnic group) run a community-based tourism business. Despite being a very remote village, their 60 homestay rooms are always fully booked, demonstrating the enormous potential of community-based tourism. Therefore, it is necessary to "draw" more on the tourism map and expand new tourism areas.

To further develop tourism in border regions, investment in infrastructure, planning, and sustainable development strategies are needed. To attract and retain tourists, it's not enough for just a few local households to engage in tourism; access to credit is essential for systematic investment in accommodation facilities, upgrading tourist attractions, and developing OCOP (One Commune One Product) tourism products.

The Vietnam Agricultural and Rural Development Bank (Agribank) stated that in recent years, Agribank has consistently supported and provided leverage in terms of credit capital for tourism development. Thanks to this credit support, people involved in tourism have been able to invest more systematically, and the number of visitors has consistently increased.

Agribank also closely cooperates with local authorities to promote the dissemination of loan policies and guidelines to the people, especially the 7 preferential loan programs for agriculture and rural areas, such as loans under credit policies serving agricultural and rural development; loans to households and individuals through loan groups/associations; preferential credit for clean agriculture, etc.

"Thanks to bank credit, effective and sustainable agricultural production and tourism models have been developed in the Northeast, Northwest, and Mekong Delta regions in particular, and throughout the country. Many eco-tourism and community tourism areas attract a large number of domestic and international tourists to experience them," shared Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong, Deputy General Director of Agribank.

Developing rural tourism creates opportunities for communities to preserve heritage, conserve, and promote traditional cultural values. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development states that rural tourism is a global trend. This is an advantage for Vietnam, an opportunity to be exploited and developed into a strong economic sector with the support of OCOP (One Commune One Product) products. Currently, there are over 10,000 OCOP products nationwide. Many businesses are focusing on linking with localities in developing OCOP tourism products, with the support of bank capital.

In Son La, thanks to significant investment in a short period, tourism has consistently been recognized in international destination rankings. Mr. Tran Xuan Viet, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Son La province, stated that in 2023, the locality exceeded its target for attracting tourists due to prioritized investment resources, including the development of community-based tourism.

In the Northeast region, the leaders of Agribank's Cao Bang and Bac Kan branches stated that they also prioritize credit capital to contribute to promoting tourism in border areas. With access to capital, agricultural production models combined with community tourism will become more efficient and professional, contributing to attracting tourists to spend more and stay longer. According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong, the bank always identifies agriculture and rural areas as priority areas for credit investment. Agribank's investment in agriculture, rural areas, and farmers accounts for nearly 70% of the total outstanding loans in the economy, playing a leading role in the capital and credit market for agriculture, rural areas, and farmers.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/du-lich-vung-phen-giau-196240205235932266.htm