Establishing criteria for the cultural environment in national tourist areas.

The recently issued tourism system plan for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2045, includes the following content: Identifying priorities for synchronized investment and improving the quality of already recognized national tourist areas; simultaneously planning and investing in infrastructure, attracting investment in facilities to promote the development of potential national tourist areas in potential locations.

Tourists visit, admire the scenery, and pay their respects at the spiritual tourism area on the road to the summit of Fansipan.

The newly issued plan clearly outlines a list of potential locations for national tourism zone development, comprising 61 sites distributed across 6 tourism regions.

This is an important direction in Vietnam's tourism development planning in the coming period. National tourism zones are crucial for attracting investment in a focused and efficient manner, creating momentum and highlights for tourism development in various regions and areas; they are also significant in building the brand and image of destinations.

According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, nine potential areas have been recognized as national tourist areas. These are: Tuyen Lam National Tourist Area (Lam Dong) in 2017; Sa Pa National Tourist Area (Lao Cai) in 2017; Nui Sam National Tourist Area (An Giang) in 2018; Tra Co, Mong Cai National Tourist Area (Quang Ninh) in 2019; Mui Ne National Tourist Area (Binh Thuan) in 2020; Hung Temple, Viet Tri National Tourist Area (Phu Tho) in 2020; Tam Dao National Tourist Area (Vinh Phuc) in 2022; Moc Chau National Tourist Area (Son La) in 2024; and Con Dao National Tourist Area (Ba Ria - Vung Tau) in 2024.

Currently, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is continuing to develop and refine a set of criteria for managing the cultural environment in national tourist areas, aiming to contribute to building a civilized and cultured tourism environment in the nine national tourist areas in particular and other destinations in general.

According to the Vietnam National Tourism Administration, the set of criteria for building a cultural environment in national tourist areas comprises five groups with nearly 50 criteria. These groups of criteria relate to: building cultural institutions and cultural landscapes; preserving and promoting customs, traditions, and other tourism resources; building ethical lifestyles and codes of conduct in tourism activities; developing cultural products and services for tourism; and unique characteristics in the development of products, services, and tourism activities in national tourist areas. The criteria for achieving the title of national tourist area are quite high and stringent. Ensuring the cultural environment criteria will contribute to attracting a large number of tourists.

Associate Professor, Dr. Bui Hoai Son, Standing Member of the National Assembly's Committee on Culture and Education, shared: A good cultural environment helps create unique tourism experiences and a safe space for tourists, promoting the preservation and promotion of local cultural values. A good cultural environment significantly supports cultural diversity, respect among communities, and creates a friendly tourism space. In addition, tourism can create good opportunities for socio -economic development for local communities; raise tourists' awareness of environmental protection and promote sustainable tourism practices. A good cultural environment can help stimulate local businesses, increase community income, and ensure that historical and cultural relics are preserved and managed sustainably...

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