Developing heritage tourism during the peak summer season.

In the summer of 2026, Thanh Hoa tourism is asserting its appeal as visitors are not only drawn to the beach but are also increasingly interested in exploring the depth of its culture and history. Heritage tourism is becoming a prominent highlight with many promotional programs, new experiential products, and innovative approaches to attracting tourists, especially the younger generation. The heritage sites of Thanh Hoa are entering their peak season with a new look, creating a unique attraction for local tourism.

Experiential and educational activities at the Ho Dynasty Citadel, a World Heritage site, are creating a new attraction for tourism in Thanh Hoa province.

According to information from the Thanh Hoa Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the number of visitors to heritage sites increased sharply during the holiday period from April 30th to May 3rd. Leveraging its advantages of unique cultural heritage sites, the Lam Kinh National Special Historical Site welcomed approximately 16,400 visitors; the Ho Dynasty Citadel World Heritage Site welcomed approximately 13,600 visitors. These figures demonstrate a clear shift in tourist trends, with increasing interest in combining relaxation with cultural and historical experiences.

No longer simply sightseeing tours, heritage tourism today is built around hands-on experiences, exploring the unique identity of the region and delving into its historical depth. This is also why heritage tours are being prioritized by many travel companies this summer.

Mr. Vu Van Binh, Head of the Thanh Hoa Provincial Tourism Association, said: "The association is implementing many programs to stimulate tourism in Thanh Hoa, most notably tours to heritage sites to enhance the experience for tourists. A prime example is the 'Explore Thanh Hoa in 1 Day' tour, connecting destinations such as the Lam Kinh Historical Site, the sacred fish stream, and the Ho Dynasty Citadel, a World Heritage site. This is considered a journey that combines cultural, spiritual, natural, and historical elements, suitable for many groups of tourists."

The interconnectedness of destinations is creating a significant advantage for heritage tourism in Thanh Hoa province. While Lam Kinh (Lam Kinh) bears the historical imprint of the Later Le Dynasty with its sacred and ancient atmosphere, Ho Citadel is captivating due to its unique stone architecture, recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site. Meanwhile, the sacred fish stream adds a mystical and folk-inspired element to the exploration journey. Connecting destinations along a route helps extend the length of stay, increase tourist spending, and create more in-depth tourism products.

To attract visitors during the peak summer season of 2026, many stimulus policies are being strongly implemented. The Management Board of Ho Citadel and Key Historical Sites in Thanh Hoa Province announced that at Ho Citadel, they are offering a 20% discount on entrance tickets for tour groups and completely free guided tours for travel companies that have signed contracts to bring visitors to the heritage site; this also applies to student groups from within and outside the province participating in research and extracurricular activities. The program will run from April to the end of December 2026. In addition, the management board will also organize free visits to exhibition spaces and thematic panel exhibitions during major holidays to serve the public and tourists. This is considered a practical solution to enhance the experience and create opportunities for the public to get closer to historical and traditional cultural values.

One of the highlights of Thanh Hoa's heritage tourism today is the innovative approach to engaging young people. Instead of simply visiting and listening to traditional guided tours, heritage education programs organized by the Management Board of Ho Citadel and other key historical sites in Thanh Hoa province are now focusing on interaction, hands-on experiences, and integration with extracurricular activities for students.

Mr. Trinh Huu Anh, Deputy Director of the Management Board of Ho Citadel Heritage and Key Relics of the province, said: “The heritage education program at Ho Citadel is implemented with the goal of always innovating, creating, and diversifying approaches to awaken love for heritage in the younger generation. The management board has strengthened coordination with schools at all levels and has yielded good results, creating a ripple effect, widely promoting the value of Ho Citadel heritage and the image of schools through tens of millions of interactions on social media platforms.”

Thanks to this approach, during the period 2020-2025, nearly 1,000 groups with over 5,000 students and teachers participated in practical learning programs at heritage sites in the area, creating a strong ripple effect on social media and contributing to the widespread promotion of the value of the Ho Dynasty Citadel World Heritage site. Notably, the management board also implemented many support policies such as waiving entrance fees for students of all levels in the province, and offering discounted tickets for universities, colleges, high schools, middle schools, and primary schools nationwide when organizing visits to learn about the heritage site. This policy not only facilitates students' access to cultural values ​​but also contributes to forming a stable and long-term source of tourists for heritage tourism.

Thanh Hoa possesses a rich heritage system with many special national monuments, world heritage sites, and a treasure trove of unique folk culture. Boosting stimulus programs, innovating promotional methods, and linking tour routes are creating opportunities for heritage tourism to experience a strong breakthrough in the summer of 2026. More than just a sightseeing destination, these heritage sites are becoming vibrant cultural experience spaces where visitors can "touch" the depth of history and better appreciate the value of Thanh Hoa.

Text and photos: Phuong Do

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/phat-trien-du-lich-di-san-trong-mua-cao-diem-he-288569.htm