VNAT surveys northeast region’s tourism

In the framework of the National Action Plan on Tourism, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) carried out a field survey to explore tourist potentials of four northeastern provinces of Thai Nguyen, Cao Bang, Bac Kan and Lang Son. The survey lasted from September 6 to September 12, 2010.
Members of the survey group include representatives of the VNAT, international tour operators and press agencies.
The survey’s goal is to assess potentials and current situations of the 4 localities’ tourism industries, then propose guidelines to develop tourist products and possibilities of linking tours in the region. This would help facilitate international tour operators to tailor their tours and bring more tourists to the region. In addition, in this survey, press agencies would have a chance to eye practical things so that they can write stories to popular the region’s tourism image.
After the survey trip, delegates shared an opinion that these localities, thanks to imposing landscape of mountains and forests and unique cultural features of ethnic groups, own big potentials to develop various tourism forms, making tourism a key industry of the local economy.
Thai Nguyen and Bac Kan with famous historical revolutionary monuments and mountainous landscapes are capable of organising “back to origin” tours and holiday tours. Boasting high and flat terrain, Cao Bang is an ideal destination for those who love riding bikes, motorbikes or horses, climbing, trekking, travelling by rafts, boats... Lang Son’s Mau Son tourist area offers visitors fresh air, cool climate, splendid scenery and many local specialities of the Dao ethnic minority.
Nevertheless, tourism development in these localities remains problematic. The reasons could be named as weak promotional activities, lack of co-ordination in tourism development, inadequate tourism investment, poor infrastructures, deteriorated accommodations, low quality services, inconvenient procedures...
Owning to specific characteristics, these four provinces could play a vital role in developing tourism sector in the country’s northeast region. Local authorities should pay attention to boost promotional programmes; foster regional cooperation in product development; form inter-provincial tourist routes; focus on tourism zoning and managing activities; improve tourism infrastructure; enhance quality of services; place human training in core position; ensure environmental protection at tourist sites; ease travelling procedures... By doing this, northeast region’s tourism sector would have a good chance to grow and become an appealing destination in the coming period.
Translated by Truyen Phuong (TITC)