Tourism development cooperation

- Collaborative partnerships play a crucial role and are an inevitable trend in promoting tourism development. In recent times, all levels and sectors in the province have proactively strengthened regional linkages and expanded international cooperation to coordinate the organization of numerous promotional activities and create diverse tourism tours and routes.

Leaders of the Vietnam National Tourism Administration and provincial leaders visited the exhibition booth showcasing the province's distinctive products at the signing ceremony of the agreement on the cooperation program for tourism development between the expanded Northwest provinces and Ho Chi Minh City for the period 2026-2030.

From closely connecting with localities within the country to international partners, Lang Son's tourism sector is confidently asserting its position, aiming to welcome 4.7 million visitors in 2026.

Expanding the network of collaborations

In recent times, the province's tourism industry has proactively expanded its cooperation network. Besides sustainable domestic linkages with Hanoi , Ho Chi Minh City, Quang Ninh, and other provinces in the region, Lang Son focuses on positioning and maintaining its Chinese tourist market, while gradually approaching ASEAN, East Asia-Pacific, and potential partners such as France, Australia, India, and South Korea.

Mr. Luu Ba Mac, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism (CST), said: The CST has proactively advised the Provincial People's Committee to implement many activities linking and cooperating in the development of domestic and international tourism. Tourism promotion and advertising have been strengthened through foreign affairs programs, cultural and tourism events, and market connection activities. In particular, the province has strengthened cooperation with localities in the region, promoting the signing of the Tourism Development Cooperation Program for the period 2026-2030 with the expanded Northwest provinces. Expanding and improving the effectiveness of regional linkages not only creates conditions for better exploitation of the potential and strengths of each locality but also contributes to the formation of attractive inter-regional tourism products and routes, enhancing the competitiveness of destinations and gradually making tourism an important economic sector of the province.

A delegation from the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Lang Son province held a working meeting with a delegation from the People's Government of Pingxiang City, Guangxi, China, to discuss promoting cooperation in border sports and tourism development.

Accordingly, the province has always paid special attention to and proactively implemented cooperation and linkages in domestic tourism development. The province has actively coordinated and participated in the "Through the Heritage Regions of Viet Bac" tourism program; and simultaneously realized cooperation agreements on tourism development between the expanded Northeast and Northwest provinces and Ho Chi Minh City through practical activities such as: displaying regional cultural spaces, signing agreements on cooperation programs for tourism development... In addition, the province continues to maintain and expand close connections with Hanoi and the provinces within Military Region 1 to form diverse and attractive tourism route chains.

A highlight of recent international cooperation and collaboration has been the cross-border tourism promotion activities between Lang Son province and Pingxiang city (Guangxi, China). Since 2024 alone, the two sides have successfully held 10 talks, resulting in the development of 2-day, 1-night package tours using travel permits through the Huu Nghi International Border Gate.

Thanks to practical solutions, the flow of international tourists through border gates is yielding positive results. Mr. Hoang Vu San, a tourist from Nanning, China, shared: "The travel procedures using a permit are very quick, convenient, and time-saving, allowing me to fully dedicate my time to exploring Lang Son. I visited Tam Thanh Pagoda, went shopping, and was particularly impressed with the roast duck and sour pho here. The friendliness and hospitality of the people make me certain I will bring my family back in the near future."

Travel businesses play a crucial role in linking and developing tourism. The signing of cooperation agreements between businesses on both sides of the border has created a solid legal basis for providing high-quality, all-inclusive services, increasing the attractiveness of tourism and extending the length of stay for visitors.

Mr. Ly Xuan Thach, Director of Thanh Vu Trading and Tourism Company Limited, said: "The signing of cooperation agreements between tourism businesses from both sides has created a solid legal basis to strengthen the relationship in providing comprehensive service packages. Through the implementation of tourism products using travel permits, I have noticed that tourists are very enthusiastic. Compared to the first six months of last year, the number of tourists using the company's services has increased by 50%. We are continuing to cooperate with partners to provide higher quality services, meeting the increasingly diverse needs of international tourists."

Asserting its position

The province's proactive approach to tourism development also left a strong mark from the end of June 2025, when the Provincial Center for Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion signed cooperation agreements with 30 strategic partners (localities and tourism service businesses inside and outside the province) to develop the UNESCO Lang Son Global Geopark, and simultaneously signed an online memorandum of understanding on cave science with the National Cave Association of the United States.

In the first five months of 2026, Lang Son welcomed over 3.9 million visitors, a 38% increase compared to the same period in 2025. Of these, 147,000 were international tourists and 3.7 million were domestic tourists. Total revenue is estimated at 3,600 billion VND (a 37.9% increase compared to the same period in 2025). Many destinations have become more familiar on the tourism map of Northern Vietnam.

Ms. Pham Thi Huong, Head of the Lang Son Geopark Management Department, Provincial Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion Center, said: In 2026, the unit will continue to expand cooperation with travel businesses nationwide and link products with international travel agencies. The current trend of collaboration is not limited to traditional tours but is strongly shifting towards in-depth, personalized experiences. International tourists are particularly interested in cave exploration and in-depth adventure experiences – this is the key to strongly promoting the Lang Son Geopark brand to the world.

The effectiveness of collaborative tourism development activities has brought practical results to the province's tourism. Notably, the Huu Lien and Yen Thinh community tourism destinations were honored with the ASEAN Tourism Award 2025; and the Quynh Son Community Tourism Village in Bac Son commune was recognized by UN Tourism as one of the best tourism villages in 2025.

In the first five months of 2026, Lang Son welcomed over 3.9 million visitors, a 38% increase compared to the same period in 2025. Of these, 147,000 were international tourists and 3.7 million were domestic tourists. Total revenue is estimated at 3,600 billion VND (a 37.9% increase compared to the same period in 2025). Many destinations have become more familiar on the tourism map of Northern Vietnam.

With practical and effective solutions, tourism linkages in Lang Son are expected to continue to develop in depth, making tourism a truly leading economic sector and creating a strong impetus for sustainable socio-economic development of the locality in the new period.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/lien-ket-hop-tac-thuc-day-phat-trien-du-lich-5095157.html