Tours

Hanoi and Lai Chau to Collaborate on Tourism Development

By the end of 2023, Hanoi will have implemented numerous cooperative tourism programs with provinces and cities located in the South, Central Highlands, and Central regions in a bid to boost the number of visitors to the city.

Administrator

18 September, 2023

448

During a recent conference to promote tourism cooperation between Hanoi and Lai Chau, Nguyen Tuan Anh, vice chairman of the UNESCO Hanoi Travel Club, pledged the establishment of alliances and collaboration to develop new products and connect the Hanoi-Lai Chau itinerary. Representing over 1,000 travel agencies nationwide, the club aims to foster stronger partnerships for the benefit of both destinations.

Cau May Glass Bridge in Lai Chau Province. Photos: Hoai Nam/The Hanoi Times

During the conference, Tran Quang Khang, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Lai Chau Province, expressed his optimism about the partnership with Hanoi, stating that it will serve as a driving force for the province’s tourism industry to further enhance the development of high-quality products.

According to him, Lai Chau is leveraging its abundant natural resources and the rich cultural heritage of its 20 ethnic groups to develop distinctive offerings that appeal to both tourists and investors.

Lai Chau’s tourism sector currently revolves around community-based tourism, eco-tourism that showcases its natural landscapes and scenic locations, and adventure sports tourism. However, there is still untapped potential and advantages within the industry that have yet to be effectively harnessed.

The Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism emphasized the need for comprehensive investment in transport infrastructure. It was also noted that the absence of prominent enterprises capable of spearheading the development of a modern and high-quality service delivery system is a challenge.

Tour operators from Hanoi attending the conference presented a range of initiatives to foster tourism development in Lai Chau. Nguyen Thi Minh Thuy, Business Director of AIC Travel Company, highlighted the challenge faced by many travel agencies in Hanoi, namely the lack of information about Lai Chau, which hinders the development of new products and the establishment of tour routes.

“It is imperative to enhance collaboration with Hanoi in order to augment our promotional endeavors and drive a higher influx of visitors to Lai Chau,” she emphasized.

Nguyen Van Cuong, the Director of New Smile Tourism Development and Trading JSC, has proposed that the management authorities in Lai Chau enhance their support for service businesses and travel companies. Additionally, he recommends facilitating cooperation among these entities and offering reasonable service prices to mutually benefit and attract more visitors to Lai Chau.

Do Trong Thi, the Head of the Department of Culture in Tam Duong District (Lai Chau Province), has proposed a strategy to enhance collaboration between Hanoi’s tourism sector and the various tourism destinations within the city’s districts and cities. This suggestion aims to foster stronger partnerships in the future.

O Quy Ho, the longest pass in Vietnam, is one of the most attractive destinations in northwest Vietnam.

The Hanoi travel agency delegation recently embarked on a journey to explore and forge partnerships with captivating tour experiences. During their expedition, they had the pleasure of visiting various noteworthy models and destinations, including the breathtaking Rong May Glass Bridge Resort, the immersive Sin Suoi Ho community-based tourism site, and the culturally rich Si Thau Chai Village and Ta Phin Village, among others.

Statement by Phung Thi Hoai Huong, Head of Culture and Information Division, Gia Lam District of Hanoi

In her capacity as the Head of the Culture and Information division of Hanoi’s Gia Lam District, Phung Thi Hoai Huong emphasized the significance of the activity as a valuable learning experience for her team. The activity focused on managing and establishing effective mechanisms and policies to support the training of individuals in creating high-quality community-based tourism products.

As of the first three quarters of 2023, Lai Chau province has received an impressive number of visitors, welcoming nearly 800,000 individuals. This includes approximately 790,000 domestic tourists and 11,000 international tourists. Moreover, the province has seen a notable increase in revenue, estimated to be about VND586.2 billion (equivalent to US$24 million), reflecting a 20% growth compared to the previous year. This accomplishment amounts to 92.9% of the targeted revenue for 2023.

A delegation from Hanoi conducted a study visit to Danang in August to explore agritourism models. Additionally, they visited the central provinces of Quang Nam and Thua Thien-Hue, with the aim of developing new tour options to Hanoi.

The Department of Tourism in Hanoi is committed to enhancing collaborative tourism initiatives with provinces and cities in the southern, central highlands, and central regions of Vietnam. By the conclusion of 2023, these efforts aim to attract a greater number of visitors to the captivating city of Hanoi.

According to projections, Hanoi is poised to welcome approximately 22 million visitors this year, reflecting a significant growth rate of 17.6% compared to the previous year. Of these visitors, around 19 million are expected to be domestic tourists, representing a notable increase of 10.5% from last year’s figures. This anticipated surge in tourism is projected to generate a revenue of VND77 trillion (US$3.26 billion), showcasing an impressive annual growth rate of 28.2%.

During September, the trend of taking photos with bicycles full of colorful flowers (considered a characteristic of Hanoi autumn) has spread to the streets of Lai Chau Province. Photo: laichau.gov.vn