Lao Cai is becoming more attractive in the eyes of tourists.

NDO - The "I Love Vietnam So Much" project, a collaboration between Nhan Dan Newspaper, Lao Cai province, and sponsors, has officially launched as a check-in point called "I Love Vietnam So Much." This initiative aims to promote historical and cultural landmarks across the country, with a focus on Lao Cai, renowned for its many attractive tourist destinations, majestic natural landscapes, and unique cultural identity.

Lao Cai is a land with a rich history and culture, boasting many famous landmarks such as the Upper Temple, the Lao Cai International Border Gate, the Lung Po flagpole, Coc Lieu market, Cat Cat village, Silver Waterfall, Ham Rong mountain, Fansipan peak, Hoang A Tuong mansion (Bac Ha), and villages of the Mong, Dao, and Tay ethnic groups, all rich in cultural identity. Installing NFC boards helps to preserve and transmit information vividly, enabling tourists to gain a deeper understanding of local history and culture, contributing to the dissemination of Lao Cai's cultural values ​​to a wider audience of domestic and international visitors.

Initially in Lao Cai, the "I Love Vietnam" project was implemented at three famous tourist destinations: the town square of Sa Pa, Kim Tan Square (Lao Cai city), and Lung Po Flagpole - where the Red River flows into Vietnam (Bat Xat district).

When experiencing this project, visitors simply need to place their internet-enabled smartphone close to the NFC chip-equipped board as instructed. A link to the "I Love Vietnam" website will automatically appear on the screen. The number of the destination the visitor has checked in at will be displayed, and visitors can upload their photos along with a message. Visitors can also review the places they have visited and information about those destinations.

The project is being implemented in provinces and cities nationwide to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of Southern Vietnam and the reunification of the country (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025).

Currently on a family trip to the Sa Pa National Tourist Area, Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan, from Thanh Hoa province , was very excited about the attractive check-in spot located right in the courtyard, next to Sa Pa's famous Stone Church. She said that although she has traveled to many places, this is the first time she has been able to check in in such a fun way. Instead of just taking photos at the check-in point, she got to experience a completely new way of checking in; she could also find out how many people had checked in there and share that moment with everyone.

Foreign tourists enjoy taking photos and checking in at Sa Pa.

Ms. Chey Kanmitha, a tourist from Cambodia, shared: “When checking in here, my group and I were able to learn more about the place we were at, as well as tourist information displayed via the link; I was also very impressed with the feature that allows us to upload photos of our experiences and write our feelings when accessing the website for the program.”

Despite being a province with great tourism potential, welcoming millions of visitors to its tourist destinations each year, this is the first time Lao Cai province has had a modern and innovative check-in point, attracting a large number of locals and tourists to visit and experience it.

The "I Love Vietnam" program, when implemented in Lao Cai, is not simply about applying technology but also about preserving culture, developing sustainable tourism, and boosting the local economy. This is an important step in building Lao Cai into a smart, modern tourist destination while still retaining its traditional beauty and unique identity.

Speaking with a reporter from Nhan Dan Newspaper, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hai Anh, Provincial Party Committee member and Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Lao Cai province, emphasized: “In my personal opinion, the “I Love Vietnam” program in Lao Cai has brought many practical and positive meanings, namely: contributing to the preservation and dissemination of cultural and historical values, and enhancing smart tourism experiences in the highlands, because Lao Cai is one of the top tourist destinations in Vietnam, especially Sa Pa, which attracts millions of visitors every year. Thanks to NFC chip boards, tourists can quickly find information with just a tap on their phone, making their exploration journey more convenient and attractive.”

The program promotes the integration of technology and culture, and by incorporating digital platforms, Lao Cai can more effectively promote its tourism image to international friends, helping the locality attract more domestic and foreign tourists.

On the other hand, instead of using leaflets, paper or metal signboards that easily deteriorate, NFC boards help minimize waste and protect the natural environment of Lao Cai. Especially in the context of increasing emphasis on sustainable tourism, the application of technology not only helps preserve heritage but also protects the natural landscape and limits negative impacts from human activities.

By improving the quality of tourism and the visitor experience, the program indirectly promotes the development of the tourism industry, creating more business opportunities for local communities. When tourist destinations are promoted using modern technology, the number of visitors can increase, leading to the development of accommodation, food, and shopping services, thereby improving the lives of the local people.

The Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Lao Cai, Nguyen Thi Hai Anh, also hopes that the program will continue to be expanded and developed with NFC chip boards installed at destinations such as: Lao Cai International Border Gate, Thuong Temple, Fansipan peak, Hoang A Tuong Mansion, etc., so that each historical site and cultural landmark can be preserved and accessed in a more modern and convenient way, helping Lao Cai become a more attractive destination in the eyes of domestic and international tourists...