Tourists to a hamlet in north-western region

Nhan Dan- The north-western mountainous region is a place of potential for tourism with many places of interest and famous historical and cultural relic sites. Besides, traditional festivals and market days also create unique traits of the mountainous region. An effective co-operation in tourism between Hanoi and north-western provinces therefore could help speed up the development of tourism in the region.

Hanoi, which now covers an area of 3,324 km2 with a population of 6.3 million, located in the gateway of north-western provinces, has a great impact on socio-economic activities all northern provinces. Hanoi is also one of the two biggest tourism centres in the countries with 776 residential establishments, with 16,851 rooms and over 300 international and domestic travel agencies. In 2007, Hanoi welcomed 6.7 million of visitor arrivals, including 1.3 million foreigners from 160 countries and territories.

In recent years, Hanoi and north-western provinces have worked together to speed up tourism co-operation. This has made a great contribution to stimulating economic activities between Hanoi and other provinces. The tourism development of localities has provided a favourable condition for Hanoi- based travel agencies to set up tours to attract more visitors to the capital city as well as to provinces. Thus, the co-operation in tourism between Hanoi and other localities helps bring about two way effectiveness.

While Hanoi doesn’t have large land for resorts or entertainment centres, north-western region, not too far from Hanoi, is available in land for projects on ecological tourism and resorts. Hanoi and localities therefore should work together to call on investment for tourism projects in mountainous areas.

Visitors at the Xuan Son National Park, Phu Tho province.

In recent years, Hanoi has paid attention to strengthening tourism co-operation with cities and provinces nationwide. Meanwhile, provinces have regularly provided their tourism information with Hanoi’s travel agencies to organise various tours to attract more tourists at home and abroad.

Hanoi can give localities a hand in human resource through providing training so that they are more professional and able to provide better services for customers.

Tight co-operation in tourism between Hanoi and localities will surely bring about effectiveness for both sides in attracting more visitors and bringing more economic profits for the country.