Diversifying Tourism Products: Asserting Position and Appeal

The year 2025 marks a historic milestone for the provincial tourism industry. The merger of Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc, and Hoa Binh has created a vast, diverse, and identity-rich development space. With a systematic investment strategy and an innovative mindset in product development, “Ancestral Land” tourism is transforming. It is evolving from a purely spiritual destination into a premier hub for wellness retreats, ecotourism, and high-end cultural experiences, attracting both domestic and international travelers.

Students experience a school tour at the Hung Vuong Museum.

In the serene atmosphere of the Hung Temple Special National Historical Site, the Hung Vuong Museum buzzes with excitement as students participate in a modern school tour. Instead of traditional guided tours, students use the “Outing Trip App” on smartphones to engage in riddle-solving, artifact hunting, and active cultural exploration.

Mr. Nguyen Duc Hoa, Director of the Provincial Tourism Promotion Information Center, shared: "This modern approach allows students to participate in beneficial physical and folk games. By role-playing historical characters and solving digital puzzles, students improve their historical retention, teamwork skills, and solidarity. This is a clear testament to our innovation in tourism product development."

The merger of three provinces has created a New Phu Tho Province with immense potential and competitive advantages for tourism development. Positioned as the gateway to Hanoi, the province possesses superior inter-regional connectivity via the Noi Bai – Lao Cai and Hoa Lac – Hoa Binh expressways, as well as an international railway system. Its diverse topography—ranging from midland hills to mountainous terrains and fertile plains along the Red, Da, and Lo Rivers—creates vast room for tourism expansion.

Phu Tho now owns one of Northern Vietnam’s most abundant natural ecosystems, from the cool highlands of Tam Dao and Xuan Son to the majestic Hoa Binh Lake and the tranquil Dai Lai Lake. Notably, the rare hot mineral springs in Thanh Thuy and Kim Boi unlock great potential for high-end wellness and healthcare tourism. Service infrastructure has also witnessed “lightning-speed” development with a series of world-class resorts and international golf courses, including Flamingo Dai Lai, Wyndham Thanh Thuy, Serena Kim Boi, and the Thanh Lanh, Phoenix, and Hilltop Valley golf courses.

In 2025, tourism product development achieved remarkable results. The province proactively innovated the way it leverages UNESCO heritages, such as the Hung King Worship Belief and Xoan Singing. A series of school tours utilizing modern technology via the Outing Trip App was launched at the Hung Vuong Museum, helping the younger generation approach history in a vivid and engaging way.

Phu Tho coordinated with major units like Vietravel and the Tourism Association to develop MICE tourism (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) in key hubs like Viet Tri, Vinh Yen, and Hoa Binh. Integrated circular agricultural tourism models were established in Muong Tien and Vuon Sim. Furthermore, highland communes in the former Tan Lac district are being developed into provincial-level tourist areas. Regional specialties and OCOP products from Vinh Phuc and Hoa Binh have also been integrated into Phu Tho’s souvenir catalog to diversify the visitor experience.

Mr. Dang Tuan Hung, Head of the Tourism Management Division (Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism), affirmed: "The administrative expansion has created a powerful synergy between heritage values and vast natural resources. Our core objective is to transform tourism into a spearhead economic sector, focusing on unique and sustainable products."

Regarding future tourism product development orientations, the province will continue to focus on researching, developing, and promoting distinctive tourism products, emphasizing the creation of high-quality, competitive products. This includes developing two spiritual tourism axes linked to the legend of the “Four Immortals”: Hung Temple - Ba Vi - Hoa Binh and Hung Temple - Tam Dao - Soc Son. Simultaneously, it will create a green tourism corridor connecting Tam Dao - Hung Temple - Kim Boi - Mai Chau. Regional linkages and key products will be prioritized, focusing on key tourist areas such as Tay Thien, Dai Lai, Thanh Thuy, Xuan Son, and Hoa Binh Lake. The province will also strongly develop types of tourism such as health and wellness resorts, Muong cultural experiences, Xoan and Gheo singing, and waterway tourism on the Da and Lo rivers. Innovate the economic model, research and implement a “senior economy” linked to healthcare services for the elderly, and develop a “nighttime economy” in Viet Tri, Hoa Binh, and Vinh Yen wards with unique art performances and culinary activities.

In addition, mobilize investment resources to complete the synchronized infrastructure. Simultaneously, organize a regular annual “Ancestral Land Culture and Tourism Week” with a series of large-scale cultural, sports, and tourism events during the Hung Kings' Commemoration Day and Hung Temple Festival to create a “brand” for the unique cultural tourism products of the ancestral land. Increase hosting national and international cultural, sports, and tourism events to promote and attract tourists to Phu Tho.

Huong Lan