Kim Boi Aiming for High-Quality Tourism Development

Blessed with rare hot mineral springs and the unique Muong cultural identity, Kim Boi Commune is undergoing a powerful transformation. Leveraging its natural advantages, the locality is shaping a sustainable, high-quality tourism strategy, attracting trillions of VND in investment to strive toward becoming one of the region’s leading destinations.

A corner of the Mandala Retreats Kim Boi.

Recently, Kim Boi has begun to define itself as a dynamic hub for tourism and services. This shift is driven by its inherent values: precious hot mineral water, fresh natural landscapes, and a rich Muong heritage. In the province’s development blueprint, hot mineral resources are considered the “key” to opening a unique path for Kim Boi, serving as the foundation for wellness and retreat tourism.

Following administrative boundary adjustments, Kim Boi Commune now spans 64.5 km2 with a population of over 35,000, of which the Muong ethnic group accounts for 83.5%. This demographic not only creates a distinct cultural identity but also offers a prime advantage for developing community-based and cultural tourism. Furthermore, the cool mountainous climate year-round attracts visitors seeking long-term retreats.

To date, Kim Boi has attracted over 20 non-budget projects with a total registered capital of more than 8,000 billion VND, primarily in tourism, commerce, and agriculture. The emergence of high-end resorts such as Mandala Retreats, Yasumi Onsen Resort, and Venus Resort has elevated the Kim Boi tourism brand. According to Mr. Le Ba Minh, Assistant Director of Hotel Operations at Mandala Retreats Kim Boi, the resort welcomed over 75,000 domestic and international guests in 2025 alone—a testament to its growing prestige and appeal.

Notably, the Cuoi Ha eco-urban complex and cable car project is being implemented as a “strategic lever,” expected to completely revitalize the local socio-economic landscape once operational. This economic shift is also reflected in the private sector, with 174 enterprises and 11 cooperatives active in the commune. The average per capita income has reached 63.5 million VND/year, while the poverty rate has dropped to 4.5%.

Kim Boi possesses natural mineral springs with a stable temperature of 34 - 36°C year-round.

Mr. Bui Thanh Ha, Head of the Economic Division of Kim Boi Commune, affirmed: "Kim Boi possesses a unique advantage in its natural mineral springs, which remain stable at 34-36°C year-round. We have identified tourism as a spearhead economic sector that both improves livelihoods and preserves local cultural values."

He added that Kim Boi’s central location and synchronized infrastructure allow for easy connectivity with major markets, especially Hanoi. The locality is focusing on improving the investment environment and resolving procedural bottlenecks to support businesses.

Looking toward 2030, Kim Boi aims to become a high-quality destination attracting 1 million visitors annually, with a total investment of 18,000 billion VND for the 2025–2030 period. To realize this, the commune is integrating traditional Muong values—such as the Muong Dong Festival and Mo Muong heritage—into its tourism products, allowing residents to participate directly in the tourism value chain.

Despite challenges regarding environmental pressure and intense competition, Kim Boi’s clear strategy and the consensus of the government and people provide a great opportunity to “awaken” the value of this high-potential land.

Hong Trung