Ha Giang Striving to Become Key Tourist Area by 2020

By 2020, Ha Giang tourism aims to become an important economic sector in the structure of the service sector, creating the premise towards 2030 for tourism to be a key economic sector in the overall economic structure, and one of the key tourist areas of the Midlands, the mountainous Northern areas and the whole country, contributing to raising living standards and morale of the people. Ha Giang has particular strengths in tourism potential. It is positioned in the northernmost point of the country, the interface between the northeast and northwest regions, and transshipment point between these tourism areas and the border with China's Yunnan Province. Ha Giang has an important position on the national tourism map.

 

Ha Giang is also a land of rich cultural history, the convergence of the 19 ethnic groups such as Mong, Dao, Pa Then, Co Lao, Lo Lo, Bo Y, Phu La, and Pu Peo. There are also many national historic scenes namely Dong Van ancient town, the Vuong dynasty architectural relic, Lung Cu flagpole (Dong Van); Sung Khanh Pagoda, Binh Lam Pagoda (Vi Xuyen); Trong Con Subregional revolutionary relics (Bac Quang); Cang Bac Me (Bac Me), ancient rocks Nam Dan (Xin Man), and Hoang Su Phi terraced fields.

 

Ha Giang also has peculiar natural scenery, with spectacular wild beauty as: Ma Pi Leng (Meo Vac), Double Mountains ( Quan Ba), desert rock, stone forests (Dong Van), etc primeval forests, ancient tea forest, scenic rice terraces in the western districts. According to Hoang Van Kien, Director of Ha Giang’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, besides having natural and humanity tourism resources, Ha Giang is located in strategically important in terms of economic, social, defence, security and tourism development. It borders China - the largest market of Vietnam tourism - to the Northwest, while Ha Giang is the connection point of the important east-west-north travel arc, adjacent to some provinces with tourism potential such as Cao Bang, Bac Kan, Tuyen Quang, Lao Cai, Yen Bai. In recent years, the social and economic development of Ha Giang province has achieved comprehensive success. The infrastructure is continued to be invested, creating conditions for Ha Giang tourism to have clear changes, effectively exploiting the tourism potential of local characteristics.

 

However, Ha Giang tourism is at an early stage of development, there are many limitations, shortcomings, difficulties and obstacles with no satisfactory solution. Tourism activities are mainly based on nature with no breakthrough developments to assert the key economic sector. The results are not commensurate with the potential and advantages of the province. The development contains risks.

 

The policies for tourism development are inadequate. Developing tourism into a major economic sector is the task and responsibility of sectors and branches at all levels.

 

In order to gradually improve the quality, efficiency, professionalism of tourism activities, in the recent years, Ha Giang tourism industry has developed many programs and measures. The master plan for tourism development in Ha Giang province by 2020 and orientations to 2030 is the latest direction approved by the province as a basis for the next step to develop Ha Giang’s tourism.

 

Accordingly, based on the strength of tourism resources, Ha Giang province focuses on developing various tourism products such as geological tourism, cultural tourism, community tourism associated with the ethnic tourism, border trade. In addition, Ha Giang will develop traditional craft products, and specialty and natural food. It will also codify and connect routes, tourist spots in the province, in the region and international routes to create new tourism products.

 

It is expected that by 2030, Ha Giang needs to invest about VND29,437 billion for tourism development, in which by 2020, it needs VND11,077 billion, focused on the fields of infrastructure development; investment planning, reconstruction, preservation and promote the value of cultural heritage; human resource development; enhancing promotion and environmental protection. Specifically, by 2020, Ha Giang tourism industry needs to invest 24 projects in various sectors, giving priorities to Dong Van Plateau Global Geopark and Hoang Su Phi terraced fields.

 

In order to implement the master plan for tourism development, Ha Giang Province should implement synchronous solutions in which the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Ha Giang province is the host institution for implementation of the Plan. It is responsible for guiding and monitoring the implementation of the local branches, sectors and businesses while coordinating with departments and tourism sectors to perform the promotion, investment, training human resources and improving service quality.