Lao Cai: Doubling the potential of adventure tourism

The merger of Lao Cai and Yen Bai provinces is not simply a change of administrative units but also opens up a new development vision for the Northern Midlands and Mountains. This is an opportunity to form a “new tourism growth pole” with the advantage of diverse and inter-regional adventure resources. Doubling the potential for adventure tourism development means many new opportunities open up.

Lao Cai province is considered a paradise for adventure tourism as it possesses 5/10 highest mountain peaks in Vietnam (Fansipan 3,143 m, Ky Quan San 3,046 m, Ta Chi Nhu 2,979 m, Nhiu Co San 2,965 m, Lung Cung 2,913 m), 2/4 of the four great mountain passes (Khau Pha, O Quy Ho) along with deep valleys, primeval forests, waterfalls and natural caves.

This is an ideal condition for adventure sports activities such as: mountain climbing, trail running, trekking, mountain biking, paragliding, kayaking, rafting, or canyoning.

In addition, Lao Cai is also a favorite destination for trekking activities through terraced fields, bamboo forests, bamboo forests and ethnic minority villages, offering unique cultural and natural exploration experiences. In particular, Mu Cang Chai with its large and beautiful national special landscape of terraced fields is suitable for those who love trekking and photography, along with the journey to conquer the surrounding peaks such as Lung Cung, Dinosaur's spine (Pung Luong commune) ...

In recent years, the number of tourists to Lao Cai and Yen Bai (old) has increased significantly, of which tourists participating in trekking, mountain climbing and nature exploration activities account for about 10% - 15%.

The merger helps to supplement and expand adventure tourism resources, creating a large ecological - terrain continuity, ideal for developing large-scale products. Hoang Lien Son area (old Lao Cai) connects with Ta Xua and Ta Chi Nhu mountain ranges (old Yen Bai) to form a chain of high mountains with diverse primeval forests, very suitable for professional trekking and mountain climbing activities. O Quy Ho Pass (Lao Cai) and Khau Pha Pass (old Yen Bai) are considered the "golden corridor" of international paragliding, providing large flying spaces and beautiful natural landscapes, attracting more and more domestic and foreign paragliding pilots. Along with that, the rich ecosystem with primeval forests, waterfalls, mineral springs, diverse rivers and streams opens up great potential for adventure sports such as canyoning, kayaking, rafting, etc.

Mr. Nguyen Viet Hung, Director of Hung Viet Trading and Tourism Company Limited, Yen Binh Commune, shared: The merger has created many new opportunities for businesses to exploit adventure tourism. Businesses can develop routes towards adventure tourism - resort - community culture, serving the needs of in-depth experiences such as trekking, mountain climbing, paragliding, combined with high-standard local homestays. Cooperation between businesses in the whole province helps to take advantage of human resources, experience, and local resources to create a combined strength instead of small-scale operations.

"Adventure tourism products combining high-end resorts and local experiences can increase average revenue 3-5 times compared to the conventional model," Mr. Nguyen Viet Hung added.

Developing adventure sports tourism is of interest to Lao Cai province. In the framework of tourism development strategy to 2030 and vision to 2050, it is determined: "By 2050, Lao Cai will become the leading "green" and "smart" nature and adventure sports tourism destination in Vietnam and the region, associated with the traditional cultural identity of ethnic groups in the mountainous region, a place that brings different and authentic experiences with special emotions on every journey".

In the orientation of developing specific products (tourism - adventure sports) of the province, priority has been given to exploiting adventurous products such as: mountain climbing, paragliding, off-road racing, rapids, cycling, bungee jumping, zipline... Lao Cai is supported by the Nouvelle Aquitaine Region of France to build adventure sports tourism products based on the potential advantages of local tourism development such as: Waterfall slide/canyon slide - a new product tested by the Hoang Lien Center for Education and Environmental Services; kayaking and mountain biking in Bac Ha; 8 new sports tourism products for Bac Ha such as challenging trekking, mountain biking, kayaking,...

The province has also built a number of typical adventure sports tourism products with brand names such as: "Vietnam Mountain Marathon" (VMM) international trail race; Mu Cang Chai ultra trail marathon; Trekking - climbing to explore the high peaks of Hoang Lien Son range,... Localities in the province have built and organized sports tourism events such as: Bat Xat with off-road racing in the middle of rhododendron flower season, Pavie ancient stone road marathon, "Going through the heritage land" route...

Adventure tourism now plays an increasingly important role in the overall tourism development strategy of Lao Cai province, especially in the context of the rearrangement of administrative boundaries, creating many favorable conditions to expand development space. In addition to natural factors, after the merger, Lao Cai has more conditions to restructure the tourism development space - expanding routes and adventure spots, creating many potential areas that have not been deeply exploited before.

Adventure tourism is also an effective bridge between economic development and cultural-ecological conservation, contributing to creating sustainable livelihoods for ethnic minorities, promoting gender equality, local entrepreneurship and environmental education.

Mr. Tran Son Binh - Deputy Director of the Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism said: "In the coming time, the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism will continue to build and position the brand "Lao Cai - green and smart adventure sports destination" at the national and international levels, initially focusing on key areas such as: Sa Pa, Bat Xat, Bac Ha, Y Ty, Thac Ba, Mu Cang Chai. Develop new adventure sports tourism products such as: stream kayaking, waterfall sliding, camping through the forest, high-level ecological trekking, local off-road racing...

Along with that, focus on training specialized human resources, including international standard adventure guides, coaches and technicians... Build infrastructure to serve adventure tourism to ensure safety, rescue and control environmental impacts. Organize national and international sporting events such as mountain climbing marathons, cross-country paragliding, off-road racing,... associated with tourism promotion".

The province’s merger is a strategic move, opening up huge opportunities for the development of adventure tourism. With close coordination between the government, businesses and local communities, Lao Cai promises to become a leading adventure tourism destination in Vietnam and the region, contributing to boosting the economy and improving people’s lives.

According to Lao Cai newspaper

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/lao-cai-nhan-doi-tiem-luc-du-lich-mao-hiem-2025073010055121.htm