Lang Son: Expectations for a breakthrough in green economy through community-based tourism.

In 2025, Lang Son province will receive the title of Global Geopark, and Quynh Son Community Tourism Village will be recognized by the United Nations Tourism Organization as the Best Tourism Village of 2025. This is a good foundation for Lang Son to promote tourism development associated with the unique local culture.

In 2025, Lang Son province will receive the title of Global Geopark, and Quynh Son Community Tourism Village will be recognized by the United Nations Tourism Organization as the Best Tourism Village of 2025. This is a good foundation for Lang Son to promote tourism development associated with the unique local culture.

The “Best Village” award, initiated by the United Nations Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), is a global initiative to honor rural destinations that have achieved outstanding results in cultural and natural conservation, sustainable tourism development, and improving community livelihoods. The award is selected based on a rigorous system of criteria regarding governance, innovation, sustainability, environmental impact, and contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, becoming an international benchmark for high-quality community-based tourism models.

Quynh Son community tourism village is associated with the cultural identity of the Tay ethnic group. Photo: Nghia Hiep

Quynh Son Community Tourism Village (Bac Son commune, Lang Son province) has been recognized as the world's most outstanding community tourism village, surpassing over 270 applications from 65 countries. With its beauty reflecting the unique culture of the Tay ethnic group, featuring hundreds of ancient stilt houses and stunning natural landscapes, it has become a popular destination attracting both domestic and international tourists.

Mr. Ngo Bach, Director of a tourism company in Ha Long, said: “I came to Quynh Son village to visit and develop a program to bring international tourists here for my company. The community-based tourism model in Quynh Son is well-implemented, offering tourists the opportunity to learn about local culture, sleep in traditional stilt houses, participate in agricultural production, weaving, and enjoy distinctive local cuisine.”

Regional cuisine is an essential part of any travel experience. Photo: Nghia Hiep

Lang Son Geopark has been recognized as a Global Geopark and was officially designated a UNESCO Global Geopark in April 2025. This designation marks a significant milestone, officially bringing Lang Son province into the UNESCO Global Geopark Network, which comprises 229 sites in 50 countries worldwide.

With an area of ​​nearly 5,000 km² and more than 100 unique geological, cultural, and archaeological heritage sites, it not only possesses geological value but also serves as a convergence point for many traditional cultural values, revolutionary history, magnificent natural landscapes, and especially a diverse and rich indigenous culture, unique history, and geology.

Leveraging these strengths to promote tourism development, Mr. Doan Thanh Son, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Lang Son province, said: “The Provincial People's Committee has issued a plan to implement the Tourism System Planning for the period 2021-2025, with a vision to 2045; a plan and methods for organizing the survey of tourism resources in the province; a plan for developing tourism products in Lang Son province until 2030,... We are accelerating the implementation of programs and projects to support and develop tourism; deploying many solutions, especially digital transformation in tourism promotion and advertising, focusing on promoting the UNESCO Global Geopark.”

The stilt house architecture is characteristic of the Tay ethnic group in Quynh Son. Photo: Nghia Hiep

In summary, in 2025, Lang Son province welcomed over 4.4 million tourists, achieving 100.9% of the plan, an increase of 5.3% compared to the same period. Total revenue from tourism was estimated at 4,500 billion VND, achieving 100% of the plan, an increase of 3.47% compared to the same period.

In 2026, Lang Son province has set a plan for tourism development, focusing on the Lang Son Provincial Tourism Development Project to 2030, with a vision to 2045. This includes the Provincial Party Committee's Resolution on the preservation, restoration, and promotion of the value of the UNESCO Lang Son Global Geopark for the period 2025-2030, with a direction towards 2035. The plan emphasizes strengthening promotion, focusing on effectively exploiting the economic potential of tourism, and prioritizing the improvement of service quality.

A representative from the Quynh Son Tourism Cooperative stated: “From a small village in the Northeast, we have become known to the world. Together with the people, we will preserve and promote the Tay ethnic culture associated with nature, protect the environment, and build tourism into a green and sustainable economy for the people here and future generations.”

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/lang-son-ky-vong-but-pha-kinh-te-xanh-tu-du-lich-cong-dong-20260121150318118.htm