Developing sustainable community tourism in Dien Bien province

Deputy Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism Pham Van Thuy emphasized: “The workshop also helps localities to properly assess their potential and advantages; orient the development of unique community tourism products; improve communication and promotion skills, develop brands; solve problems such as destination management, environment, security and safety, and develop local human resources. All are aimed at the ultimate goal of helping people have stable livelihoods, increase income, preserve traditional culture and contribute to the sustainable development of the locality.”

According to Deputy Director Pham Van Thuy, Dien Bien possesses many favorable conditions for sustainable community tourism development. The majestic Northwest mountain and forest landscape, fresh and cool climate; Muong Thanh valley fields are large, beautiful and the most famous in the Northwest region. The system of mineral springs, caves, and primeval forests is rich; many villages still retain their pristine landscapes and unique ethnic cultural identities such as Ten village, Phieng Loi village, Na Sang village... The system of historical relics associated with the Dien Bien Phu Campaign such as A1 hill, De Castries tunnel, Muong Thanh bridge... attract a large number of tourists. These cultural and historical features, when properly preserved and exploited, will be invaluable resources for sustainable community tourism development.

According to Article 19 of the Law on Tourism, individuals and households in areas where community tourism is developed are given incentives and encouraged to provide accommodation and food services; guide tourists to visit and experience the culture and lifestyle in the community; produce goods, traditional handicrafts and other services for tourists. Provincial People's Committees organize research, surveys and select locations with potential for community tourism development; have policies to support initial necessary equipment and foster knowledge and skills in serving tourists for individuals and households in the community participating in providing tourism services; support the promotion of community tourism products. Commune People's Committees in areas where community tourism is developed organize propaganda, dissemination and raise community awareness; take the lead in building community commitments to preserve cultural identity, protect the environment and behave civilly towards tourists. Organizations and individuals exploiting and developing community tourism have the responsibility to respect culture, lifestyle and share benefits from tourism activities with the community.

At the workshop, experts and scientists presented many papers sharing experiences in developing community tourism in many localities across the country; applying digital technology in promoting tourism and connecting tourists; exploiting ethnic cultural values in developing community tourism; putting Dien Bien on the digital tourism map... Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Hong Long, Chairman of the Scientific Council of the Faculty of Tourism Studies, Hanoi University of Social Sciences and Humanities, said that developing community tourism is not just providing simple accommodation and food services, but needs to combine indigenous cultural activities. Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Hong Long emphasized that exploiting culture is not "selling" culture, but sharing and spreading values. The subject of this process must be the community. When people are empowered to take ownership and enjoy worthy benefits, community tourism in Dien Bien will truly take off.

Ms. Ha Thuy Mai, Institute of Culture and Development, Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, said that local people must participate in community tourism activities; promotion must be combined with community culture. Develop long-term planning to ensure cultural authenticity; encourage the restoration of festivals, traditional houses, and craft villages. Organize training on tourism skills, service, and homestay management; put people in the position of the subject of tourism activities.

Representatives of localities also shared the strengths and potential of indigenous community tourism; at the same time, recommended that authorities at all levels and tourism management agencies pay attention to supporting local development.

Mr. Pham Duy Linh, Vice Chairman of Pu Nhi Commune People's Committee, said that Pu Nhi Commune has been a model, encouraging people to participate in developing community tourism to escape poverty. Mr. Pham Duy Linh shared: "The locality has and will exploit policies to support the people. However, we hope to receive support from management agencies and authorities at all levels so that the locality can continue to accompany the people, promote the development of community tourism, and contribute to hunger eradication and poverty reduction in ethnic minority areas."

Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Dien Bien, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Chuyen said that Dien Bien currently has 14 villages that can serve tourists, with over 40 homestay tourism models in operation. Each village has an art troupe and a culinary team to ensure service for visitors who want to enjoy folk art, cuisine, accommodation and experiences.

However, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Chuyen also said that community tourism activities and some other tourism products in ethnic minority and mountainous areas in Dien Bien have not yet developed commensurate with the potential and advantages of tourism resources. The infrastructure system and facilities have not been fully invested; tourism products are not diverse and attractive; human resources have not met the development requirements.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Chuyen requested the National Tourism Administration to pay attention to supporting the training and development of human resources to effectively exploit tourism resources, preserve and promote the traditional cultural identity of ethnic groups. Organize delegations to survey tourism products and destinations to promote the connection to build new tourism products, build tours, improve communication and promotion effectiveness to attract tourists. Support the connection and introduction of capable and experienced investors to survey investment in Dien Bien. In particular, support Dien Bien to promote digital transformation, contributing to improving the effectiveness of state management and tourism product development.

The National Tourism Administration will develop and plan policies; propose to competent authorities to plan tourism development policies for Vietnam in general, Dien Bien in particular in the coming time. Thereby, contributing to the good implementation of Resolution 08 of the Politburo on developing tourism into a spearhead economic sector.

Article ordered by the Department of Legislation, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/du-lich/phat-trien-du-lich-cong-dong-ben-vung-tinh-dien-bien-20251201160634976.htm