The arial view of Bản Giốc Waterfall, a famous tourism destination in Cao Bằng Province. — VNA/VNS Trọng Đạt

LẠNG SƠN — Tourism officials from Việt Bắc region in the north of Việt Nam and Guangxi Province in China discussed working together at a conference held in the northern province of Lạng Sơn on Monday.

According to Nguyễn Phúc Hà, director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Lạng Sơn Province, Việt Bắc, including six northern provinces – Cao Bằng, Bắc Kạn, Lạng Sơn, Hà Giang, Tuyên Quang and Thái Nguyên, has rich tourism potential with a variety of ecological, cultural and border tourism destinations like Ba Bể Lake, Lenin Stream and Pắc Bó Cave.

The region was also the seat of the revolutionary government during the anti-French war and houses many ethnic minority groups with diversified cultures, making it a destination for culture and history.

In recent years, the provinces have promoted their tourism via the programme Qua Miền Di Sản Việt Bắc (Through Việt Bắc Heritage Sites) that has been held annually to promote local tourism and provide incentives for travel agencies, Hà said.

Lạng Sơn is promoting tourism development and ties between the province and Việt Bắc with Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in China, launching tours, co-operating in promoting tourism products and training tourism workers.

“To turn Việt Bắc into an attractive and competitive destination, the provinces need to build a joint plan of action focusing on typical tourism products of the six provinces,” the director said.

Speaking of sustainable tourism development with Non Nước Cao Bằng Geopark, the director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Cao Bằng Province, Trương Thế Vinh, said the province has completed the construction and introduced three tourism routes within the geopark.

However, the construction of the geopark is a new mission so Cao Bằng lacks the experience to ensure its development according to UNESCO’s criteria, he added.

“The province therefore needs consultation from specialists, as well as incentives and policies to develop tourism in the provinces bordering China,” Vinh said.

Nguyễn Hồng Hải, director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Hà Giang Province, suggested periodical or non-periodical discussions to debate and solve difficulties, connecting tourism websites to exchange information and co-operation in managing tourism markets.

Speaking at the conference, a representative of the authority of Guangxi Province, Liang Chao Jun, said the province will work with Việt Bắc provinces to promote tourism. — VNS

In box:

The 9th tourism programme Qua Miền Di Sản Việt Bắc (Through Việt Bắc Heritage Sites) was held in Lạng Sơn Province on November 3-5 with a variety of activities including conferences of introducing destinations, promoting cultures and tourism products of Việt Bắc region and Guangxi, China.

As an annual activity of Cao Bằng, Bắc Kạn, Lạng Sơn, Hà Giang, Tuyên Quang and Thái Nguyên provinces, the programme aims to reinforce tourism co-operation and attract both domestic and international investors.

At the event, Sli singing of Nùng ethnic minority community in Lạng Sơn Province received national intangible cultural heritage recognition granted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The 10th Through Việt Bắc Heritage Sites programme will be hosted by Thái Nguyên Province next year. — VNS