ThaiNguyen (VNS/VNA) - Six northern provinces in Vietnam shouldcontinue to actively support and participate in two national tourism stimulusprogrammes – Vietnamese Travelling within Vietnam and Vietnam’s Tourism – Safe and Attractive,said Doan Van Viet, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Viet was speaking at the opening ceremony of the 12th programme “Travellingthrough Heritage Areas of Viet Bac Region” in Thai Nguyen province on April 21.

Theregion covers six northern provinces of Ha Giang, Tuyen Quang, Cao Bang, Bac Kan,Thai Nguyen and Lang Son.

The programme, held annually, aims to promote the culture and tourism of thesix provinces that have great potential with well-known destinations like Ba BeLake (Bac Kan), Dong Van Karst Plateau (Ha Giang), Ban Gioc Waterfall (Cao Bang),and Na Hang hydropower reservoir (Tuyen Quang).

This region is also the seat of the resistance government during theanti-French war and houses many ethnic groups with diversified cultures makingit a destination for anyone interested in culture and history.

Among the attendees at the opening ceremony of the tourism stimulusprogramme were representatives of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism,Vietnam Tourism Association, Vietnam Community-Based Network, travel agenciesand culture-tourism sector of nearby provinces.

As six north-western provinces shares many similarities in natural, economic,cultural and social conditions, in addition to their tradition of exchangingand collaborating with each other in various fields, their cooperation intourism development is crucial, laying firm foundations for promoting andintroducing local landscapes, people, culture and tourism potential, the deputyminister stressed.

The 12th "Travelling Through the Heritage Areas of Viet Bac Region"programme would strengthen the exchange and cooperation between the provincesand attract not only investors to exploit local tourism potential but alsobring tourists to Thai Nguyen and the northern region of Vietnam, he added.

The programme was scheduled to take place in Thai Nguyen in 2020 but wasdelayed to this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It includes surveying routes and tourist attractions in Thai Nguyen, seminarson tourism development cooperation in six provinces of the Viet Bac region, anart show and a photo exhibition.

At the opening ceremony, the attendees enjoyed a special art programme titled Colours of Viet Bac Region performed byprofessional artists and actors from the six provinces in the Viet Bac Region.

Addressing at the ceremony, the Deputy Minister of Sports, Culture and Tourismnoted that domestic tourism will be the focus of Vietnam’s recovery in thepost-pandemic period 2021-2023.

He said: “Viet Bac provinces need to further develop unique tourismproducts of their own to enable visitors to experience contemporary tourismproducts to meet the demand of the market in the new normal context.

“In particular, the provinces need to strengthen the digital transformation andinformation technology application in tourism, enhance tourism cooperationprogrammes with other localities nationwide, and promote the effectiveness ofregional linkage and connections with markets and businesses nationwide.”

The 13th edition of the programme “Travelling through Heritage Areasof Viet Bac Region” will take place in Ha Giang province next year./.