Aiming for the satisfaction of international tourists

Leveraging its natural landscapes, rich history, and diverse cultural heritage, Phu Tho’s tourism industry has, in recent years, actively partnered with localities and businesses to effectively tap into its strengths. The province has focused on innovation and service quality improvement to gradually elevate the profile and appeal of its tourism offerings to international visitors. This marks a strategic step, demonstrating that Phu Tho is making significant strides to become a prominent destination on the international tourism map.

As part of efforts to promote Phu Tho’s tourism at the 2025 Lao Cai International Tourism Fair, the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism organized a program in early June to welcome a Famtrip delegation to survey tourism products in Viet Tri City. The event created opportunities to promote the image of the Ancestral Land and connect Phu Tho with the “Two Countries—Six Destinations” tourism route, which links Vietnamese destinations with Khon Minh in China.

Upon their arrival in Phu Tho, the 43-member delegation—comprising representatives from travel agencies across Southeast Asia and South Asia—visited Hung Lo Ancient Village. There, they enjoyed traditional Xoan singing in the sacred space of the village’s ancient communal house and participated in a hands-on experience making traditional Chung cakes. Sormit Haikum from Chiangmai Pacific World Tourism Co., Ltd. (Thailand) shared that visiting Phu Tho left a strong impression, highlighting the region’s deep cultural and historical identity. “I’ve visited many places in Vietnam, including Hanoi, Da Nang, and Hue,” he said, “but this is my first time in Phu Tho, and it feels quite special. The people are very friendly and welcoming. Our company will definitely consider bringing more international visitors here in the future.”

The international delegation also visited the Hung Vuong Museum, a site that preserves numerous valuable artifacts from the era of the Hung Kings—Vietnam’s legendary founders. The museum’s diverse exhibits offer insights into the cultural life of Phu Tho’s ethnic groups. Notably, the 3D animated film Hung Vuong Era, with English subtitles, provided an engaging and accessible experience for international guests. Syahri Banon Bahar of SMM Travel (Indonesia) expressed appreciation for the museum’s deep historical value and noted its appeal to Indonesian tourists. He also suggested that having more halal dining options would help attract visitors from Muslim-majority countries like Indonesia.

International tourists today seek destinations that offer nature, history, authentic community cultural experiences, and a sense of safety and friendliness. With these preferences in mind, Phu Tho has recently stepped up investments in developing and diversifying its tourism products to align with the expectations of international travelers. Between 2021 and 2025, the Provincial People’s Committee has rolled out multiple plans and programs to support the restoration and enhancement of historical and cultural sites, as well as the development of tourism infrastructure. New tourism products have been launched, including experiences that highlight intangible cultural heritage, such as the forest-opening festival in Minh Hoa Commune or visits to sticky rice-growing areas of the Muong people in My Lung Commune (Yen Lap District). Investments have also been made in upgrading the Hung Vuong Museum, including the construction of new exhibition and service areas and the installation of modern 3D film equipment. Other efforts include the development of tourism in Xuan Son and Long Coc communes (Tan Son District), the establishment of six agricultural tourism destinations, and the recognition of five provincial-level tourist sites linked to rural tourism.

Over the past five years, Phu Tho has hosted numerous Famtrip and Presstrip delegations to explore and evaluate its cultural, spiritual, resort, and community tourism offerings. The province has also organized seminars, experience-sharing programs, and training courses to enhance service quality, covering topics such as reception, housekeeping, food and beverage service, kitchen skills, and tour guiding. In addition, the province has developed promotional packages and preferential tourism products under the motto “lower costs without compromising service quality.” These efforts aim to raise the standard of services at key tourist sites and enhance the overall experience for both domestic and international visitors.

Nguyen Duc Hoa, Director of the Phu Tho Tourism Promotion and Information Center, noted that Phu Tho is home to two UNESCO-recognized intangible cultural heritages, numerous historical sites, and a diverse natural landscape. Strategically located on the economic corridor linking Hanoi and Lao Cai, the province is well-positioned to develop linked tourism products and increase the number of international visitors. Looking ahead, Phu Tho will focus on developing inter-provincial and inter-regional tour routes under the concept “International visitors to Vietnam begin from the national origin,” promoting attractive, friendly, and safe tourism experiences.

Currently, Phu Tho boasts 368 accommodation facilities, including 50 hotels—among them, one five-star, one four-star, one three-star hotel, and two built to four-star standards. The province also features two shopping centers catering to tourists, 71 karaoke venues that meet regulatory standards, 141 fitness and sports facilities, and 142 swimming pools. Notably, 100% of the province’s tourist sites now have Wi-Fi coverage, ensuring greater convenience for visitors.

Bich Ngoc