Exploring the Potential for Tourism Development

Phu Tho, the ancestral land, the land of origin of the Vietnamese people, has a long history of formation and development, with abundant and appealing tourism resources and numerous opportunities to build and develop all types of tourism, including historical-spiritual tourism, cultural-ecological tourism, resort tourism, medical treatment, entertainment, and healthcare. To effectively exploit the potential and strengths of tourism development, the province has recently developed many solutions and found appropriate directions, such as developing specific tourism products, linking to form tours and routes attractive tourism, suitable for local actual conditions, and attracting an increasing number of tourists to Phu Tho.

Introducing the ancestral land’s tourism to international tourists at the Phu Tho provincial booth during the 2023 Expanded Community Tourism Village Festival in Hoa Binh, which includes eight Northwest provinces.

Phu Tho has developed tourist sites and destinations, and implemented various favorable policies to encourage investment and grow tourism, particularly in major tourist locations; Concentrate on generating resources to invest in tourist development. Increase the value of tourism attractions and destinations by preserving and promoting heritage, historical, and cultural values. Prioritize investment in constructing critical infrastructure in tourist hubs, invest resources, and try to transform Viet Tri into a festival city that returns to the origins of the Vietnamese nation. connecting cultural heritage sites designated by UNESCO with ecological resorts and leisure regions; continuing to persuade firms to invest in significant projects such as Song Hong Thu Do Group Joint Stock Company’s Walking Street Project - Tien Cat urban housing area, Eco-urban area, resort tourism, and T&T Group’s Tam Nong golf course...

In 2023, total tourism service revenue will reach VND3,365 billion, accounting for 108.5% of the year’s plan, a 27% increase over 2022; 776,000 visitors, a 13.3% increase over 2022, with international visitors reaching 8,860, an 18.1% increase; and 860,400 visitor days, an 18.7% increase over 2022, with international visitor days rising by 46%. The tourist sector continues to prioritize the training and development of high-quality tourism human resources, as well as a sustainable tourism labor market. Propaganda to encourage the community to actively participate in tourist activities, resulting in a civilized, safe, pleasant, and welcoming tourism environment.

Many tourism advertising, promotion, and information activities were successfully organized, such as the Northwest Tourism Fair 2023, the ancestral land’s Culinary Culture Festival, International Workshop - Forum “Promoting the role of heritage and culture associated with tourism development” and other tourism activities on the occasion of the Hung King’s Commemoration and the Week of Culture and Tourism of the Land of 2023; Participate in 11 events to promote and introduce Phu Tho tour.

Ms. Vu Thi Hoai Phuong, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, stressed that Phu Tho Tourism Industry has always aimed to enhance tourism while maintaining and promoting the cultural and historical qualities of the Land of the Ancestors. Tourists are drawn to Phu Tho because it is the location of three UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites. At the same time, developing the tourism brand “Phu Tho - Back to National Roots” leaves a positive impression in the hearts of visitors. In recent years, the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism has prioritized the preservation and promotion of traditional cultural values.

According to statistics, Phu Tho currently has 967 relics, including 323 historical and cultural relics ranked by the State, 345 relics worshiping Hung Kings and figures from the Hung King period, 30 relics related to Xoan singing, five national treasures, 311 traditional festivals, and 41 representative intangible cultural heritages. This has the potential to be a cultural tourism resource that may be developed into distinctive cultural tourism items that will appeal to both local and international travelers.

Xuan Son community tourism, Xuan Son commune, Tan Son district is a popular site for both local and foreign tourists.

To encourage tourism growth, the province will focus on establishing and promoting Phu Tho’s culture and people, as well as a variety of new forms of tourism to attract tourists, while improving the use of technology and change. Digital transformation into smart tourist development activities, boosting tourism using 3D and 4D technology platforms; Create a QR code system and deploy automatic interpretation technology in tourism spots and locations around the province... From there, use digital apps to swiftly address the information demands of clients and visitors visiting those information platforms.

Ngoc Lam