Linking to develop tourism

At present, linking has become an essential requirement in the development of tourism. With shared natural, historical, and cultural characteristics, the provinces in the cooperation group have proactively formed connections to exploit the natural landscape and cultural heritage values of the region. This initiative aims to introduce these values to both domestic and international tourists, contributing to the preservation of indigenous culture, fostering growth momentum, and helping tourism develop sustainably, while also supporting socio-economic development.

Long Coc Tea Hill has emerged as an attractive destination, drawing tourists eager to explore the natural beauty of the ancestral land.

Enhancing Ancestral Land tourism products

Phu Tho, known as the birthplace of the nation, is a region rich in cultural heritage and abundant natural tourism resources. This offers a favorable environment for developing unique tourism products with a competitive edge. Some popular tours and routes have been successfully exploited, attracting many tourists. These include the Lac Long Quan Temple-Hung Temple Historical Relic Site-Lai Len Temple-Hung Lo Ancient Village route; the Hung Temple Historical Relic Site-Hung Lo Ancient Village-Xuan Son National Park-Thanh Thuy Hot Mineral Water Resort; the “Returning to the Roots” school tour; the “Returning to the Land of Hung Kings” tour; and the “Discovering the Natural Beauty of the Land of Ancestors” tour.

In 2024, as the leader of the cooperation group of eight expanded Northwestern provinces (TBMR) and Ho Chi Minh City, Phu Tho has implemented synchronized solutions, invested in tourism infrastructure, and upgraded existing products to develop sustainable tourism. Four sites have been recognized as provincial-level tourist attractions, including the Au Co Temple Cultural Tourist Site, and three tourist attractions in Xuan Son Commune, Tan Son District: Du Village Community Tourist Site, Coi Village Community Eco-Tourism Site, and Ngoc Waterfall Eco-Tourism Site. These new additions have created more highlights for visitors exploring the Ancestral Land. In addition, the province continues to focus on investing in and renewing tourism products at major destinations such as the Hung Temple National Tourist Site, Thanh Thuy Hot Mineral Water Tourist Site, Ancient Village Xoan Singing, Xuan Son Discovery, and Long Coc Tea Hill. New spiritual and cultural tourism products are also being developed, such as the water procession ceremony at Bach Hac Intersection, the “Searching for Antiques” activity at the Hung Vuong Museum, school tourism associated with Xoan Singing at Lai Len Temple, and tea experiences at Long Coc Tea Hill.

During the “Colors of Ancestral Land Tourism” program, which launches the 2025 tourism stimulus campaign themed “Phu Tho—Go to Love,” Nguyen Dac Thuy, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, stated that the event would introduce and promote the province’s tourism products, services, tours, OCOP products, and Ancestral Land specialties. It aims to invite and attract tourists from around the world to visit Phu Tho, stimulating tourism development in the Ancestral Land region. At the same time, the event will offer attractive incentives to both domestic and international visitors, allowing them to fully experience and appreciate the culture, people, and natural beauty of the Ancestral Land, the birthplace of the Vietnamese people, and the Northern Midlands and Mountains in particular. Tourism stimulus packages, featuring preferential prices and guaranteed quality, have contributed to building the Phu Tho tourism brand as “Safe - Friendly - Attractive,” inviting tourists to “come to Phu Tho and fall in love with this land.”

International Tourists Experience Xoan Singing at Hung Lo Communal House.

A journey of many destinations

Building upon the potential and strengths of local tourism development, the Cooperation Group has identified the unique tourism products of each locality, enabling the group to focus investment resources, enhance quality, and promote these products effectively. This collaboration has expanded the region’s tourism offerings, promoted local strengths, and enhanced competitive advantages.

Phu Tho is a key participant in the tourism development cooperation group, which includes eight expanded Northwestern provinces (Phu Tho, Dien Bien, Ha Giang, Hoa Binh, Lai Chau, Lao Cai, Son La, and Yen Bai) and Ho Chi Minh City. By joining forces, these regions can exploit their competitive advantages and diversify their tourism products to attract the attention of both domestic and international tourists.

In 2024, the total number of visitors to the eight Northwestern provinces and Ho Chi Minh City is expected to reach nearly 76.5 million, a 15.5% increase compared to 2023 (with over 32 million tourists visiting the eight expanded provinces of the Northwest). Total tourism revenue for 2024 is estimated to be VND 45,661 billion, a 19.5% increase from the previous year.

To fully exploit the potential of local tourism, Tran Thanh Son, chairman of the Phu Tho Tourism Association, shared that travel agencies in the province are focusing on developing new tour programs and exploring new tourism products, such as ecotourism in Xuan Son, Long Coc, and Thanh Thuy, and school tourism connecting historical and cultural attractions like the Hung Temple, Hung Lo Communal House, and Lai Len Temple. These initiatives aim to increase the attractiveness of Phu Tho as a tourist destination. At the same time, Phu Tho is strengthening its cooperation with other regions with established tourism strengths and actively participating in the tourism development activities of the eight TBMR provinces to improve the efficiency and position of Phu Tho tourism.

Through investment in upgrading existing tourism products and continuing to develop new offerings based on the region’s strengths and competitive advantages, the provinces in the Cooperation Group have introduced these tours to tourists and travel businesses in Northern, Central, and Southern Vietnam. Tours linking the Central Highlands and Ho Chi Minh City are gradually being implemented under the general cooperation agreement: “Returning to the Ancestral Land—Origin of the Nation,” “The Heroic Song of the Northwest,” and “The Fragrance of the Highlands.” These tours cover specific destinations, including Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Phu Tho, Lai Chau, Sa Pa, Bao Yen (Lao Cai), Quang Binh, Dong Van (Ha Giang), and others.

Moreover, the provinces are also proactively developing inter-provincial and inter-regional tourism products, such as a new Hanoi-Moc Chau-Hua Phan (Lao People’s Democratic Republic) tour, trekking and mountain climbing tourism at Bach Moc Luong Tu Peak (Ky Quan San), and connecting tourist destinations along the “Northwest Arc” route (Lai Chau, Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Son La, Dien Bien, Phu Tho). The region is also building the inter-provincial tour “One Route, Five Destinations” and linking heritage sites from Sin Suoi Ho (Lai Chau) through the ancient stone road Pavie-Bat Xat-Bac Ha (Lao Cai)-Xin Man (Ha Giang), as well as tours from Long Coc Tea Hill to the terraced fields of Mu Cang Chai.

In addition, the provinces and cities are strengthening their promotional efforts by advertising and expanding their market reach through events and tourism fairs. The VITM International Tourism Fair and the Northwest Tourism Fair play a significant role in promoting local tourism to travel agencies, investors, and both domestic and international tourists, gradually affirming the prestige and brand of the Cooperation Group on the Vietnam tourism map.

Phuong Thanh