Tourism reaches new heights, agriculture improves quality: Part 1 - Shaping the position of national tourism areas

BHG - The Resolution of the 17th Ha Giang Provincial Party Congress, term 2020 - 2025, determined: Developing tourism and high-quality agricultural products according to the value chain is one of three breakthrough tasks. On that journey, tourism not only becomes a key economic sector, affirming the Ha Giang brand on the national and world map, but also a "bridge" to bring endemic agriculture "to the tour", creating new values ​​from its inherent identity.

BHG - The Resolution of the 17th Ha Giang Provincial Party Congress, term 2020 - 2025, determined: Developing tourism and high-quality agricultural products according to the value chain is one of three breakthrough tasks. On that journey, tourism not only becomes a key economic sector, affirming the Ha Giang brand on the national and world map, but also a "bridge" to bring endemic agriculture "to the tour", creating new values ​​from its inherent identity.

Part 1: Shaping the position of national tourist areas

From a land once known for its rugged terrain, difficult transportation and slow development, Ha Giang has today transformed dramatically, becoming a national tourism highlight and a leading cultural destination in Asia. This is the result of strategic decisions, taking tourism development as a spearhead, combined with preserving cultural identity and promoting indigenous values.

The Forest God worshiping ceremony of the Lo Lo ethnic group in Lo Lo Chai village, Lung Cu commune (Dong Van) is a unique cultural highlight that attracts tourists. Photo: My Ly

Affirming strategic vision

As the intersection of the two cultural regions of the East and the Northwest, Ha Giang has the most unique tourism resources in Vietnam. The high scientific and aesthetic values ​​along with the unique and rich culture of 19 ethnic groups are the basic conditions and factors that create the unique value of this land. After 3 re-evaluations, the title of member of the UNESCO Global Geopark Network of Dong Van Karst Plateau continues to be maintained. Ha Giang is honored to receive many prestigious tourism awards. The strong growth of this sector in recent years has created a lever for socio-economic development in the locality.

In the overall picture of Vietnam tourism by 2030, Ha Giang is identified as one of the highlights in the dynamic development region of the North, along with Son La, Dien Bien, and Lao Cai. This land is expected to shine with typical tourism products such as: Resorts in the middle of nature, mountains and forests; experiencing community culture; exploring history and revolution; conquering adventure sports. The draft Vietnam Tourism Planning by 2045 orients the Dong Van Karst Plateau UNESCO Global Geopark to become a national tourist area. In particular, the Provincial Planning for the period 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050, approved by the Prime Minister, continues to clearly establish: Tourism development is one of the breakthroughs and key economic sectors that Ha Giang will focus on implementing.

From the national tourism strategy, the 17th Congress of the Ha Giang Provincial Party Committee, term 2020 - 2025, determined: Developing tourism and high-quality agricultural products according to the value chain is one of three breakthrough tasks, along with developing transport infrastructure; creating livelihoods, improving the material and spiritual life of the people. This orientation has been concretized by resolutions specializing in tourism development, especially Resolution 11 of the Provincial Party Committee and synchronous and drastic action plans from the province to the grassroots. In particular, focusing on major groups of tasks to create appropriate investment mechanisms and policies; raising awareness of ethnic minorities about preserving and promoting traditional cultural values; promoting and developing green and sustainable tourism products.

In particular, the province has promptly implemented the Code of Conduct for civilized tourism in Ha Giang at tourist attractions, rest stops, and community cultural tourism villages, contributing to spreading the spirit of "Every citizen is a tourism ambassador".

Accelerate, comprehensive breakthrough

In the medium-term public investment plan for the period 2021 - 2025, the province has allocated nearly 1,330 billion VND for projects in the Dong Van Stone Plateau area. Major infrastructure projects have been implemented such as: Ha Giang Museum, Bac Me Camp, 26.3 Square, rest stops, resorts in Hoang Su Phi district, walking routes in Meo Vac district, Khau Vai tourist destination... The province also developed a plan to attract large-scale, high-quality tourism projects and provide consulting support for potential investors. Received and implemented 47 new programs and projects funded by international organizations. The provincial, district and communal road network to tourist destinations has been asphalted and concreted, making access to scenic spots more convenient. Investment in digitalization, construction of smart electronic payment facilities; telecommunications development, 5G coverage; Install signboards and signage at most tourist attractions.

Unique cultural architecture of the Mong people's rammed earth houses at H'Mong Village, Dong Ha Commune (Quan Ba). Photo: My Ly

Up to now, the province has 24 tours, intra-provincial routes and regional connections exploited. For community tourism, 16 villages have been recognized as having met the criteria, many villages have 3-5 star OCOP products. Cultural tourism products are extremely diverse with 32 national intangible cultural heritages, along with extremely attractive relics, festivals and folk games. In addition to the operating tourist destinations, the province has approved 4 projects to develop eco-tourism and resorts for the period 2024-2030 in Tay Con Linh Nature Reserve, Phong Quang, Bat Dai Son and Du Gia National Park - Dong Van Stone Plateau. With steep terrain, beautiful landscapes, sports and adventure tourism such as marathons, paragliding, and boating are playgrounds that are attracting a large number of tourists. In addition, commercial tourism, border trade and other supporting products are on the rise.

Along with that, promotional activities are increasingly professional through open communication cooperation; participating in promotion conferences, seminars, and workshops at home and abroad; exploiting digital platforms such as Zalo, Facebook, Youtube; building information portals and digital tourism maps; continuing to complete the Project on building and positioning the tourism brand of Ha Giang province. Tourism linkages are closely implemented with travel agencies in 8 northern provinces, Ho Chi Minh City, China, Japan, etc. Up to now, the whole province has 1,005 accommodation establishments with 9,263 rooms and 19,199 rooms. Notably, 3 homestays have won the ASEAN Tourism Award 2025, demonstrating the improvement of service quality in community tourism cultural villages.

With high determination and great efforts, Ha Giang is holding an important position on the tourism map of Vietnam and the world with many prestigious international awards and a rapid increase in domestic and foreign tourists. In the period of 2021 - 2023, the average tourist growth is more than 33%/year. In 2024, the number of tourists to the province will reach 3.2 million. Total revenue from tourism will reach 8,100 billion VND. The contribution rate of tourism activities to the growth of gross regional domestic product (GRDP) will reach more than 10%. It is estimated that by the end of 2025, the number of tourists to the province will reach 3.5 million. The international tourist market comes from 186 countries and territories, mainly the UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands, the US, and Australia. The domestic tourist market includes all major provinces and cities such as: Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh...

Shine on the tourist map

Hoang Su Phi terraced fields – a national scenic spot spread over 3,700 hectares, covering 24 highland communes, of which the most prominent are the three communes of Nam Ty, Ban Luoc and Ban Phung. Not only is it a masterpiece of nature, it is also a vivid testament to the intelligence, perseverance and unique farming techniques of ethnic minorities, who have known how to “leave their fingerprints” on the mountains and hills, transforming the rugged terrain into layers upon layers of rice fields, breathtakingly beautiful.

In order to create a unique tourism brand, the People's Committee of Hoang Su Phi district has periodically organized the "Hoang Su Phi Terraced Field Heritage Cultural Week" at the most beautiful time of the year. That is from the end of September to mid-October when the mountains and hills put on a brilliant yellow coat of ripe rice, attracting tourists to admire the majestic beauty and experience unique indigenous cultures. Comrade Hoang Xuan Hoa, Head of the Department of Culture of Hoang Su Phi district said: "Many communes in the key tourism area have invested in responding to festivals as well as displaying and exhibiting agricultural and forestry products, handicrafts, and medicinal herbs. Visitors can immerse themselves in the cultural space of ethnic groups, watch demonstrations of the process of making Nang Don rice wine; weaving and polishing fabrics of the Nung ethnic group; making handicrafts; cultural performances; enjoying Shan Tuyet tea and local cuisine".

Located at the foot of the majestic Dragon Mountain, Lo Lo Chai village, Lung Cu commune (Dong Van) is the "village worth living in the northernmost part of the country". Of the total 40 households, 32 households are involved in community tourism. In 2024, the village welcomed more than 5,400 groups with nearly 29,000 visitors, bringing in revenue of over 4 billion VND from accommodation, food and shopping services. Initially, people did tourism spontaneously, using their houses to renovate into homestays, with limited creativity and investment. However, with the attention and support of local authorities, households were able to participate in training courses, learn effective models, thereby improving service quality. Many homestays here are highly appreciated not for their modernity but for their traditional rustic features, clean space and Lo Lo-style hospitality. “Many tourists come to Lo Lo Chai to find peace after the hustle and bustle of daily life. They often confide in us that, coming here, they can immerse themselves in the peaceful life of the highland people, see how the people work hard, preserve the border land and remind themselves to slow down to understand more deeply and love the land of Ha Giang more” - Head of Lo Lo Chai village, Sinh Di Gai shared.

Dubbed as a "Resort Village in the middle of a huge rock forest", the high-class resort H'Mong Village, Trang Kim village, Dong Ha commune (Quan Ba) not only impresses with its handcrafted rammed earth architecture, ancient yin-yang tiled roofs on the houses of the Mong ethnic group, or the Bungalows inspired by the quay (a wooden spoon) but also by the way of preserving culture in modern life. By doing innovative and creative tourism, bringing sustainable values, H'Mong Village Resort is honored to be one of the first 7 accommodation establishments in Vietnam to receive the VITA GREEN Green Tourism label, excellent level in 2024. Previously, H'Mong Village was awarded the ASEAN Green Hotel Award.

Mr. Wendling, a tourist from France, expressed: “It was wonderful and happy for me and my friends to experience H'Mong Village. I am very happy because the majority of the staff here are ethnic minorities, who have spent their whole lives on the fields, and have now become real tourism workers. They no longer need to leave their hometowns to make a living, but live and work on their own land, with pride in their indigenous culture. This time, I also participated in the journey of "Growing green shoots on rocks". Each Sa Moc tree planted by hand leaves a footprint for visitors as a way to leave good things for the future."

With its pristine, majestic beauty and colorful cultural identity, Ha Giang is like a perfect harmony between nature and people. In 2024, the province was honored as the leading cultural destination in Asia and appeared in the list of 44 most beautiful places in the world. Facing a golden opportunity but also many challenges, Ha Giang is gradually realizing its aspiration to become a bright spot in tourism in the region and the world, an inspiring destination for global tourists. However, for that journey to be sustainable, a solid foundation is needed from indigenous values ​​- where highland specialties are not only consumer products but are gradually being upgraded to become economic resources and local identity.

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Part 2: Enhancing specialties, creating value chains

PV Group

Source: https://baohagiang.vn/van-hoa/202505/du-lich-vuon-tam-nong-nghiep-nang-chat-ky-1-dinh-hinh-vi-the-khu-du-lich-quoc-gia-c907b21/