The arial view of Ban Gioc Waterfall, a famous tourism destination in Cao Bang Province. — VNA/VNS Trong Dat

According to Nguyen Phuc Ha, director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Lang Son Province, Viet Bac, including six northern provinces – Cao Bang, Bac Kan, Lang Son, Ha Giang, Tuyen Quang and Thai Nguyen, has rich tourism potential with a variety of ecological, cultural and border tourism destinations like Ba Be Lake, Lenin Stream and Pac Bo Cave.

The region was also the seat of the revolutionary government during the anti-French war and houses many ethnic minority groups with diversified cultures, making it a destination for culture and history.

In recent years, the provinces have promoted their tourism via the programme Qua Miền Di Sản Việt Bắc (Through Viet Bac Heritage Sites) that has been held annually to promote local tourism and provide incentives for travel agencies, Ha said.

Lang Son is promoting tourism development and ties between the province and Viet Bac with Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in China, launching tours, co-operating in promoting tourism products and training tourism workers.

“To turn Viet Bac into an attractive and competitive destination, the provinces need to build a joint plan of action focusing on typical tourism products of the six provinces,” the director said.

Speaking of sustainable tourism development with Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark, the director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Cao Bang Province, Truong The Vinh, said the province has completed the construction and introduced three tourism routes within the geopark.

However, the construction of the geopark is a new mission so Cao Bang lacks the experience to ensure its development according to UNESCO’s criteria, he added.

“The province therefore needs consultation from specialists, as well as incentives and policies to develop tourism in the provinces bordering China,” Vinh said.

Nguyen Hong Hai, director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Ha Giang Province, suggested periodical or non-periodical discussions to debate and solve difficulties, connecting tourism websites to exchange information and co-operation in managing tourism markets.

Speaking at the conference, a representative of the authority of Guangxi Province, Liang Chao Jun, said the province will work with Viet Bac provinces to promote tourism.

The 9th tourism programme Qua Miền Di Sản Việt Bắc (Through Việt Bắc Heritage Sites) was held in Lạng Sơn Province on November 3-5 with a variety of activities including conferences of introducing destinations, promoting cultures and tourism products of Viet Bac region and Guangxi, China. As an annual activity of Cao Bang, Bac Kan, Lang Son, Ha Giang, Tuyen Quang and Thai Nguyen provinces, the programme aims to reinforce tourism co-operation and attract both domestic and international investors. At the event, Sli singing of Nùng ethnic minority community in Lang Son Province received national intangible cultural heritage recognition granted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The 10th Through Việt Bắc Heritage Sites programme will be hosted by Thai Nguyen Province next year.

VNS