Hanoi(VNA) – The northwest mountainous region, a popular destination for bothdomestic and foreign tourists, aims to turn tourism into a spearhead economicsector that helps eliminate poverty among local ethnic minority groups.

The northwest compriseseight provinces - Phu Tho, Lao Cai, Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Son La, Yen Bai, HaGiang and Hoa Binh, and is home to 32 ethnic minority groups. Despite its richnatural, cultural and historical values, the region remains poor slowsocio-economic growth, poor infrastructure, and low literacy rates.

According to theMinistry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, in 2016, the region had thehighest poverty ratio at 31.24 percent averagely to the multi-dimensionalpoverty line for the 2016-2020 period, including many provinces with over 30percent of poor households such as Dien Bien, Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Lai Chau andSon La.

Over the years,the regional provinces have focused on developing tourism to improve their economy.Tourism has brought positive changes for the region. Notably, tours to poor anddisadvantaged localities have helped reduce poverty and increased local incomes.

Director of the VietnamNational Administration of Tourism Nguyen Van Tuan pointed out that the region’sbiggest advantages are its spectacular natural landscapes, unique culture and glorioushistory, all favourable conditions for tourism growth.

According to theSteering Committee for Northwest Region, the region has great potential fortourism development thanks to its diverse terrain, untouched nature, freshclimate and diverse ecosystems.

The northwest isrich in natural landscapes, such as Fansipan mountain and Hoang Lien NationalPark in Lao Cai, Mu Cang Chai terraced fields in Yen Bai, Muong Phang forestwith rare floral and animal species in Dien Bien, peaceful Mai Chau valley inHoa Binh, Moc Chau plateau in Son La, and Dong Van Karst Plateau in Ha Giang.

Meanwhile, the region also has the cultures of more than 30 ethnicminority groups such as Tay, Nung, Thai, Muong, Mong, Dao, Kinh, Hoa, Kho Mu,Ha Nhi, Xo Dang, Giay, Lo Lo, Pa The, Phu La, Bo Y, Mang and Si La. They havemaintained their traditional cultural identities, with unique festivals,costumes, dances, songs, musical instruments, architecture and food.

Local conditions make community-based and eco-tourism suitable. Homestayshave also exploded in popularity in some localities like Lao Cai and Hoa Binh.

In recent years,tourist arrivals to northwest localities have risen. Last year, the regionwelcomed nearly 18 million visitors, up 11 percent year on year. 

However, insiderssaid that the region’s tourism has yet to match its potential, as tourismproducts remain poor with loose connections, resulting in low competitiveness.

The most important factor to develop tourism in the northwest was coordination,said Vu The Binh, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association.

Deputy head of the committee Hau A Lenh said the committee would coordinatewith localities to develop tourism development strategies and tourism productsfor each locality.
As part of efforts to promote regional strength in tourism, the National TourismYear 2017 Lao Cai – Northwest was launched in February with the theme “TheColours of the Northwest”.

The event aimsto contribute to introduce domestic and foreign tourists to the northwest as a culturalspace for more than 30 ethnic minority groups, a land of impressive naturallandscapes, diverse ecosystems and attractive and unique festivals.

Throughout theyear, various activities are taking place, including six events organised bythe Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, 10 others held by Lao Caiprovince, and 13 by other regional localities.

This year, theregional localities have focused on promoting their eight major typical tourismproducts, including community-based tourism to introduce the people, culture,land and living style of locals; the exploration of terraced paddy fields in MuCang Chai, Yen Bai; the experience of mountainous markets; the spiritualtourism along Red River; tours along Da River; the Northwest flower tours toenjoy typical flowers of the region in different seasons; the historical toursin Dien Bien; and mountain peak tours.

This year, LaoCai, the host of the National Tourism Year 2017, is expected to welcome about 4million visitors for the year.

In the first quarterof 2017, the provincial tourism sector served nearly 230,000 tourists, up 56.6percent year on year, with revenue reaching 3.22 trillion VND, up 150 percentover the same period last year.

The event ishoped to help attract more investment in regional tourism, thus improving theinfrastructure system in regional localities and the living conditions oflocals.

At the sametime, it is expected to raise regional community’s awareness in tourismdevelopment, while boosting connectivity among regional localities in thefield.-VNA