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| Thai Nguyen, the heart of the Viet Bac region, with its majestic landscape, unique cultural identity, and rich ecosystem, has long been known as one of the "rough gems" of tourism in the northern mountainous region. In the photo: Hao Dat Tea Cooperative tourist site in Tan Cuong commune. |
Empowering regional connections
The Viet Bac region comprises the provinces of Thai Nguyen, Cao Bang , Lang Son, Tuyen Quang, and Phu Tho. Each locality possesses its own unique advantages, from scenic landscapes and revolutionary historical sites to rich ethnic cultural identities.
However, in the past, tourism activities mainly developed in a fragmented manner, lacking attractive inter-regional products. Infrastructure, services, and tourism products were poorly connected and disjointed. This resulted in short stays for tourists, limited spending, and a failure to create a sustainable tourism value chain.
In recent years, Thai Nguyen has clearly defined its tourism development orientation in conjunction with regional linkages. The province has paid special attention to coordinating with localities in the Viet Bac region to create tourism products with a shared brand.
The linkages go beyond promotional activities, focusing instead on developing inter-regional products, promoting cross-provincial tourism tours, strengthening connections between businesses, cooperatives, and communities, and gradually synchronizing infrastructure and development policies.
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| In recent years, Thai Nguyen has clearly defined its tourism development orientation in conjunction with regional linkages. The province has paid special attention to coordinating with localities in the Viet Bac region to create tourism products with a shared brand. |
Mr. Do Trong Hiep, Chairman of the Thai Nguyen Provincial Tourism Association, shared: Tourism linkage is one of the key focuses of the Viet Bac region in the new phase. Today's tourists desire continuous, diverse, and in-depth experiences. When localities cooperate closely, tourism products will be more attractive, service quality will be improved, and the socio-economic benefits for the people will be more evident.
Product diversity enhances destination appeal.
One of the outstanding results of the tourism linkage in the Viet Bac region is the formation of many new tourism routes and products. These include the "Viet Bac Heritage and Nature Journey" tour, connecting Thai Nguyen and Cao Bang with highlights such as Nui Coc Lake, Ba Be Lake, Ban Gioc Waterfall, and Tham Mo Cave.
In addition, there are cultural experience programs focusing on ethnic minorities in mountainous areas, taking tourists to the Tay, Nung, and Dao communities in villages, participating in traditional festivals, enjoying local cuisine, and learning about the indigenous culture.
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| Tourists experience the unique cultural features of ethnic minority communities at the Mo Ga hamlet community tourism site in Vo Nhai commune. Photo: Provided. |
Agricultural and ecotourism is also being developed in many localities in the region. Tourists can participate in farming experiences, harvest agricultural products, visit orchards, and stay in homestays in the hilly areas.
Along with that are journeys to explore revolutionary historical sites such as: Dinh Hoa Revolutionary Base Area, Phong Tuong Hill, Tin Keo Hut, Tan Trao Historical Site, Pac Bo Historical Site... These are all unique values that need to be effectively exploited to create an attraction for tourism in the Viet Bac region.
In recent years, the Thai Nguyen Provincial Tourism Association has organized numerous working programs and promotional activities to establish links with provinces in the Viet Bac region as well as many localities nationwide. These activities have contributed to promoting scenic landscapes and fostered connections between provincial tourism associations and travel businesses. As a result, many new ideas have emerged, opening up unique tour routes that attract both domestic and international tourists.
Thanks to this connection, many travel businesses have developed longer tour programs, contributing to extending the length of stay and increasing spending by tourists. At the same time, inter-regional tourism also opens up opportunities for cooperation between large businesses and households in community tourism destinations, from food and accommodation services to handicraft products.
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| Thai Hai eco-tourism area leverages unique cultural features to serve tourists. Photo: Provided |
To develop the "non-polluting industry" (tourism), the tourism associations of the provinces in the region have all determined that tourism products must have their own unique characteristics. Differences in natural landscapes, ecological environments, traditional architecture, cultural life, and customs have contributed to creating a new face for tourism in the Viet Bac region. These changes are increasingly evident through positive feedback from tourists.
Ms. Le Hong Nhung, a tourist from Hanoi, shared her experience after a 4-day trip exploring Thai Nguyen and Cao Bang: "I was very impressed with the inter-regional tour itinerary. From the lush green tea hills of Tan Cuong in Thai Nguyen to the tranquil Ba Be Lake and the majestic Ban Gioc Waterfall in Cao Bang, each destination had its own unique charm but was very well connected. The homestay service was thoughtful, the locals were friendly, and I had many opportunities to learn more about the local culture."
A group of young tourists from Ho Chi Minh City also appreciated the diversity of tourism products: Before the trip, we only thought of Viet Bac as a beautiful mountainous region. Only after experiencing it firsthand did we realize that it has a unique cultural life and rich cuisine. The long trip allowed us to use more local services and clearly feel that tourism is contributing to the region's economic development.
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| Young tourists experience rowing boats on Ba Be Lake. |
Contributing to the promotion of the local economy.
According to reports from localities in the region, after the implementation of the cooperation program, the number of tourists visiting the Viet Bac region has grown steadily year after year, especially those staying for extended periods. This increase has boosted the development of related services such as accommodation, transportation, food, shopping, and entertainment, while also creating more jobs for local people.
Many small accommodations and homestays in rural villages have gradually achieved stable year-round income instead of relying on peak seasons. Traditional handicrafts and local agricultural specialties are also being consumed more through sales points and souvenir shops along tourist routes.
Mr. Do Trong Hiep commented: The economic benefits of tourism linkages are becoming increasingly evident. The development of tourism contributes to increased revenue for businesses, while also improving the income of farmers, artisans, and small service providers in the locality. This confirms that tourism has become an important economic sector for the Viet Bac region.
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| Investment in transportation infrastructure, connecting localities, plays a crucial role in promoting tourism development in the Viet Bac region. |
Despite achieving many positive results, tourism in Thai Nguyen province in particular, and the Viet Bac region in general, still faces several challenges. The need for professional tourism human resource training, preserving cultural values in the face of commercialization pressures, sustainable development planning to avoid overexploitation of natural resources, and raising community awareness in tourism activities are all issues that require continued attention.
The new advantage is that the merger of localities has expanded the space for tourism development, creating favorable conditions for unifying orientations and policies throughout the region.
With proactive linkages and coordination among localities, tourism in Thai Nguyen and the Viet Bac region is expected to more effectively exploit its existing potential. As the provinces continue to share resources, coordinate strategies, and listen to feedback from tourists, this region rich in cultural identity can certainly become an attractive destination for Vietnamese tourism.
Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/van-hoa/202603/lien-ket-phat-trien-du-lich-vung-viet-bac-cee4d33/
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