The northern province of Lao Cai has been given Government permission to hire foreign consultants to map out a plan for the Sa Pa urban tourism site.

To pay for the work, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung asked the province to utilise its budget and mobilise other financial sources from international organisations, domestic and foreign partners and enterprises.

He said planning must take into account distinctive geographical features, economics, culture, society, and customs.

Dung also agreed to the expansion of the Fansipan cable system.

The tourist plan includes Sa Pa Town and surrounding areas covering a total of 363 hectares and with a population of 13,000.

It will include new urban areas, resorts, the Ham Rong mountain tourism area, a high-quality tourism-agriculture complex, O Quy Ho urban area - and Hoang Lien National Park reservation area.

VNS/VNN