Lao Cai lures nearly 3 million tourists in six months
The northwestern mountainous province of Lao Cai, known for its picturesque mountains, rivers, waterfalls and rich culture of ethnic hill tribes, welcomed nearly 500,000 visitors each month in the first half of 2019.
Lao Cai (VNA) – The northwestern mountainousprovince of Lao Cai, known for its picturesque mountains, rivers, waterfalls andrich culture of ethnic hill tribes, welcomed nearly 500,000 visitorseach month in the first half of 2019.
In total, the locality attracted nearly 3 million touristsin six months, fulfilling 58.1 percent of the locality’s yearly target andrepresenting a rise of 12.5 percent year on year.
Of the total, international visitors numbered 459,000, arise of 15.6 percent against the same time last year.
The locality’s tourism revenue in the period reached over11.25 trillion VND, equivalent to 58.7 percent of the yearly target and up 51.3percent over the same period last year.
Notably, the Sa Pa national tourism area lured more than 1.6million visitors in the first half of this year, completing 55.5 percent of thetarget for the whole year, accounting for 57 percent of the total number ofvisitors to the province.
This year, Lao Cai targets 5 million visitors.
To this end, the province has carried out policies designed topromote tourism and service sector.
Besides working to turn Sa Pa urban area and the Lao Caicity into tourism-service centre, the province is investing in developing otherdestinations like Bat Xat, Bac Ha, Bao Yen and Van Ban. It has also linked up withother localities in tourism development and foster cooperation within theKunming-Lao Cai-Hanoi-Hai Phong-Quang Ninh economic corridor and eightnorthwestern provinces’ collaboration.
Lao Cai has also set up tourism partnership with Hanoi, HoChi Minh City and Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of France.
In the rest of the year, Lao Cai will continue with tourismpromotion activities such as organising international tourism events to luremore tourists, along with an investment and tourism promotion conference andthe Vietnam-China trade-tourism fair.-VNA
In recent years, local ethnic minorities in the northern mountainous provinces have joined in developing community tourism, which has helped them improve their living conditions.
The height of the Fansipan peak in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai, the highest mountain in Indochina, was actually 3,147.3 metres, according to the Department of Survey Mapping and Geographic Information under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
“There is no more atmospheric way to haul into Vietnam’s twin metropolises as this train rattles through historic cities and swooshes beside spectacular coastlines,” according to Lonely Planet.
All the 240 households in Thieng Lieng hamlet once knew only salt production and aquaculture, but now welcoming tourists has become a source of their joy and income.
The first and only direct service connecting the two countries at the moment is set to operate three times per week using the modern wide-body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
Mu Cang Chai is home to nearly 83,000 hectares of forest, including almost 60,000 hectares of unspoiled natural woodland. Recognising this potential, local authorities have embraced a holistic strategy that protects biodiversity while promoting tourism.
Phu Quoc ranks among the top 10 leading tourist islands in Asia. As the largest island in Vietnam, it boasts stunning natural beauty, with expansive coral reefs resting beneath the sea and a number of beautiful, poetic beaches such as Sao, Truong, and Khem, known for their fine white sand and crystal-clear waters.
Vietnam's national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet are among the exhibitors, promoting key destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Phu Quoc, as well as distinctive tourism products.
Alexander Musikhin, Vice President of ATOR and CEO of the Intourist travel agency, highlighted Vietnam as a top destination offering a unique blend of beach holidays and cultural excursions.
According to Seoul’s Tourism Industry Department, approximately 20,000 Vietnamese visitors travel to the city each year for medical treatment. Vietnam consistently ranks among the top 10 countries with the highest number of medical tourists to Seoul.
An analysis of accommodation search data based on check-in dates for June and July revealed that Nha Trang surpassed all other destinations in popularity among Korean users.
The programme is organised by the Khanh Hoa provincial Youth Union and the “Khanh Hoa people speak English” Project, and aims to promote the culture, history, cuisine and other tourism products of Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa to international visitors.
VNAT Director General Nguyen Trung Khanh called visa a golden ticket to pulling in crowds, but he is clear that it needs coordinated efforts across multiple sectors to keep the momentum going in this fast-moving global travel scene.
As a tourism hub, Hanoi is now actively developing strategies to attract Muslim travellers. In recent years, the city has seen a notable uptick in visitors from countries with large Muslim populations.
When tourists witness firsthand the passion and care of farmers, they’re willing to pay higher prices because they see the genuine worth behind every product.
During the first five months, China continued to be Vietnam's largest source market of tourists, followed by the RoK, China’s Taiwan, the US, and Japan.
After more than three months of operation, the popularity of the free tours in Bac Ninh province shows no signs of cooling down. Many tourists return every week in hopes of experiencing all the tours and visiting every destination.
Typical products of Phu Tho are being showcased at the Lao Cai International Travel Mart 2025, held in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai from June 5-8.
Featuring 130 stalls and delegations from 120 travel agencies representing more than ten countries and territories, the event is expected to provide a platform for establishing partnerships and attracting more visitors to Lao Cai in the future.
Kicking off the festival on the evening of June 7 will be the grand music concert titled “Nha Trang Say Hi”, featuring popular artists from the trending show “Anh Trai Say Hi”. The event will be broadcast live nationwide and conclude with a fireworks display over Nha Trang Bay.
Data from Booking.com reveals that during the peak summer vacation in June and July, beach trips continue to be a top priority for Vietnamese travellers.
A view of Sa Pa town in Lao Cai (Photo: VNA) 
