Linking to unlock the tourism potential of EWEC

QTO - From cross-border bus routes connecting Quang Tri with Savannakhet, Vientiane and Thakhek (Laos), Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom or Udon Thani (Thailand), a new regional tourism route is gradually taking shape. The East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC) - a trans-Asian connecting route passing through Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and Myanmar - is not only an important trade axis but also opens up opportunities for linking and developing tourism between countries in the region. In this journey, Quang Tri is expected to become a promising connecting point on this cross-border tourism route.

From the Mekong River, looking out over the Trans-Asian tourism corridor.

Late in the afternoon by the Mekong River in Nakhon Phanom province, the famtrip group from the Quang Tri Tourism Association stood in silent contemplation at the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Area. In the heart of northeastern Thailand, stories about President Ho Chi Minh's revolutionary years in Thailand moved many members of the group.

More than just a historically significant stop, this place also inspires tourism professionals to explore a new connecting journey – where history, culture, and experiences can blend across borders in a single tourism product. This was also the goal of the Laos-Thailand famtrip program themed “Connecting Road Tourism Products on the EWEC Route: Vietnam-Laos-Thailand,” organized by the Quang Tri Tourism Association in early May.

The Ho Chi Minh Memorial Area in Nakhonphanom is a destination featured in the tourism product "Following in the footsteps of President Ho Chi Minh on the long journey across Asia" - Photo: NB

Thirty-nine representatives from travel agencies, hotels, restaurants, and media outlets in Quang Tri province participated in a survey trip through various localities such as Savannakhet, Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom, Udon Thani, Nong Khai, Vientiane, and Thakhek. More than just a sightseeing trip, this was seen as a concrete step to survey the market, connect businesses, and shape transnational tourism products along the EWEC route.

Mr. Tran Huu Phuoc, Director of THP Travel, believes that Quang Tri's biggest advantage is its gateway location on the Trans-Asian corridor. "Quang Tri has a very favorable location for connecting with Laos, Thailand, and further afield, Myanmar. This is a good condition for developing cross-border tourism tours and international experiential products," Mr. Phuoc shared.

In recent years, road travel and self-driving tours have become popular choices for many travelers. No longer confined to traditional resort tours, many young people want to experience journeys across multiple countries, exploring local life, culture, and cuisine along the way. This is seen as a great opportunity for the EWEC to transform from a trade route into an attractive inter-regional tourism route.

During a meeting with the Quang Tri delegation, representatives from the Tourism Authority of Thailand highly appreciated the potential for tourism cooperation between Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand along the EWEC route. Mr. Theeraphong Phichitkawin, Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand's Ho Chi Minh City office, stated that northeastern Thai provinces such as Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Nong Khai, and Udon Thani possess many favorable conditions to become important connecting points in regional tourism development.

“EWEC is not just a transportation route, but it can also become a highly experiential tourist route. Visitors can explore the culture, cuisine, and local life of three countries in a single trip,” emphasized Mr. Theeraphong Phichitkawin.

Representatives of the Quang Tri Tourism Association present commemorative gifts to leaders of the Tourism Authority of Thailand - Photo: NB

In particular, with 2026 marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Thailand, strengthening tourism cooperation between localities of the two countries will contribute to promoting cultural exchange, people-to-people exchanges, and regional economic development.

Affirming its role as a gateway to tourism.

Within this interconnected landscape, Quang Tri is presented with a great opportunity to assert its role as a gateway for EWEC tourism. Besides the international border gates of Lao Bao, La Lay, and Cha Lo, and the Trans-Asian Highway 9, the province also possesses many unique values ​​in terms of history, culture, and nature.

It is a land of heroic memories with the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel, the Hien Luong-Ben Hai riverbanks, and the Vinh Moc tunnels; it is also home to many famous landmarks such as Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Son Doong Cave, Nuoc Mooc Stream, Nhat Le Beach, Cua Viet Beach, Cua Tung Beach… along with a diverse natural ecosystem and the unique culture of the ethnic minorities in the western highlands.

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Ha, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Quang Tri Provincial Tourism Association, this famtrip program is a practical activity aimed at surveying, evaluating, and promoting the development of road tourism products along the EWEC route.

"We are aiming to develop unique tourism products such as the 'One Day, Three Countries: Vietnam-Laos-Thailand' experiential tour, a journey following in the footsteps of President Ho Chi Minh on the long journey across Asia, or caravan programs exploring the culture and history of countries in the Mekong sub-region," Mr. Ha said.

The Buddhist sanctuary of Thatphanom, Thailand, is an attractive destination on the Trans-Asian tourist route - Photo: NB

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Ha, these products are expected to create new highlights, increase the attractiveness and competitiveness of regional tourism, and promote the image of Quang Tri to Thai partners through National Highway 9, National Highway 12 and the border gate system on the EWEC route.

"Through this program, we hope to increase the attraction of Thai tourists to experience the natural heritage and heroic memories of Quang Tri, while promoting the exchange of experiences and strengthening linkages between the tourism business communities of the countries," Mr. Ha emphasized.

It is clear that tourism businesses are aiming not only to open more tour routes but also to build a linked tourism space between Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand, where localities share tourists, products, and development opportunities. From an economic corridor, the EWEC is gradually opening up opportunities to become a unique tourism corridor in Southeast Asia.

And the handshakes during the recent famtrip could be the starting point for unlocking the enormous potential of cross-border tourism between Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand.

Yuan Bao

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/du-lich/202605/lien-ket-de-danh-thuc-tiem-nang-du-lich-ewec-f0c3a4d/