New Prospects for Ecotourism Development

Following the merger, Phu Tho now possesses three national parks—Xuan Son, Tam Dao, and Cuc Phuong (part of which was formerly in Hoa Binh province)—along with numerous nature reserves. This provides a foundation for new prospects in tourism development in general and ecotourism in particular, contributing to nature conservation, biodiversity protection, and improved livelihoods for local communities.

Visitors experiencing traditional fabric printing with the Dao Tien ethnic group in Xuan Dai commune

Ecotourism is a form of tourism based on natural and cultural resources, closely tied to environmental education and the active participation of local communities. With three national parks after the merger, Phu Tho has gained more opportunities to develop tourism, particularly ecotourism and nature-based leisure, gradually positioning itself as a prominent green and sustainable destination in northern Vietnam. This not only attracts more domestic and international visitors but also offers diverse experiences.

With their rich and diverse ecosystems typical of tropical rainforests, the national parks have effectively developed and exploited many environmentally responsible tourism products such as traditional flora and fauna tours, camping, fishing, boating, stream bathing, and engaging in local ethnic community activities. Ecotourism has also begun to attract several investment projects. As a result, tourism has significantly contributed to raising the share of services in the province’s economy, driving structural transformation.

Alongside these efforts, provincial authorities and sectors have implemented comprehensive measures to guide tourism and ecotourism development. These include investing in transport infrastructure and tourism-supporting facilities; developing tour routes and tourism products; integrating ecotourism and community tourism with the promotion of unique traditional cultural values and environmental protection; strengthening the skills of tourism personnel; and expanding promotion activities through social media platforms to reach larger audiences. The province has also emphasized applying digital technology to connect destinations, manage bookings, and provide information, thereby better meeting the needs of visitors.

Xuan Son National Park, with its pristine limestone forests and unique biodiversity, is an ideal destination for those who love exploring the wilderness. According to Mr. Tran Ngoc Cuong, Director of Xuan Son National Park: “The park features diverse terrain, beautiful landscapes, and natural elements such as forests, lakes, mountains, and valleys. It is part of the majestic natural landscape triangle of Tam Dao–Ba Vi–Xuan Son. Local ethnic communities also retain their distinctive cultural identity. These are advantages for developing ecotourism, leisure tourism, and community tourism. To promote ecotourism, Xuan Son National Park has received investment in technical infrastructure projects such as the Na Cave and Lung Troi Waterfall trails, the upgrading of Provincial Road 316H leading into the park, and road connections to the Long Coc tea hills. Other tourism-supporting facilities have also been developed. The park now welcomes an annual average of 20,000–30,000 visitors, including many student groups combining excursions with environmental education and biodiversity exploration.”

Tam Dao National Park, located entirely on the Tam Dao mountain range stretching 80 km, previously spanned the provinces of Vinh Phuc, Thai Nguyen, and Tuyen Quang. The section now within Phu Tho is being effectively utilized with various tourism services and activities such as adventure sports, nature exploration, dining, and leisure.

Cuc Phuong National Park has also seen strong ecotourism development, having been internationally recognized as Asia’s leading destination for four consecutive years from 2019 to 2022.

To fully realize its potential and advantages, and achieve the goal of building Phu Tho into an attractive tourism center for both domestic and international visitors, the national parks and nature reserves in the province need to develop master plans, zoning strategies, and tourism maps for ecotourism activities. They should also diversify tourism products while integrating forest protection, fire prevention, and biodiversity conservation. Furthermore, it is essential to intensify tourism promotion and marketing, improve resource conditions for ecotourism, enhance the skills of tourism personnel, and encourage stronger participation from local communities in tourism activities.

Le Oanh