Lao Cai leads northern provinces in int’l tourist arrivals

Lao Cai leads northern provinces in int’l tourist arrivals

Lao Cai has welcomed international holidaymakers from 70 countries worldwide, becoming one of the five tourist hubs in the north of Vietnam besides Hanoi capital, Quang Ninh and Ninh Binh provinces and Hai Phong port city.

The local tourism sector served 1,470,000 visitors in 2014, a yearly rise of 16.6 percent, including 545,239 international tourists, and grossing over 3.2 trillion VND (152 million USD) in revenue, up 28.5 percent year-on-year.

In the four-day New Year holiday of 2015, the province greeted nearly 70,000 visitors, including 41,120 descending in the resort town of Sa Pa.

Remarkable growth in the number of visitors and tourism revenue in 2014 and the outset of 2015 made Lao Cai lead other northern mountainous provinces in the field, said Tran Huu Son, Director of the Lao Cai provincial Department for Culture, Sports and Tourism.

This year, local authorities will continue to hold a range of activities to promote their tourism image, potential and strengths, such as a mountain market in Hanoi, Thuong (upper) temple festival and spiritual tourism events in Lao Cai city, a culture-tourism week in Sa Pa town, a horse riding tournament in Bac Ha district, and an international marathon tournament.

Located about 300 kilometres from the capital city, Lao Cai is said to be one of the most interesting and beautiful areas in Southeast Asia, which is blessed with an abundance of scenic spots and a treasure chest of biodiversity.

Bac Ha district is inhabited by 14 ethnic minority groups, predominantly H’Mong, Dao, Tay and Nung. The Bac Ha mountain market is selected as one of the most 10 attractive markets in Southeast Asia . It is not only a trading place, but also a venue for cultural exchanges among local people.

Around 38km from Lao Cai city, the whole town of Sa Pa is dominated by the Hoang Lien Son mountain range which is famous for housing Fansipan, Indochina’s highest mountain, at a height of 3,142m above sea level.

The town was discovered in 1903 and is endowed with myriad natural sites, such as Ham Rong Mountain , Silver Waterfall and Bamboo Forest . It is home to six main ethnic minority groups with various traditional festivals, unique cultural practices and regular events such as Bac Ha market and Sa Pa love market.

In 2009, the famous US Travel and Leisure magazine voted the Sa Pa terraces as one of the seven most beautiful and spectacular terraces in Asia and the world. In 2013, on the 110th founding anniversary of the town, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism decided to rank Sa Pa terraced fields as a National Landscape site.

Source: VNA

Bài viết liên quan

	Vietnam Airlines announces upgrade to 4-star service Vietnam Airlines on July 2 announces its 4-star service upgrade and launches its new corporate identity in a ceremony held in the VIP lounge of Noi Bai International Airport with the presence of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung. Detail >>

	First buckwheat flower festival to be held in Ha Giang The northernmost province Ha Giang is organising the first buckwheat flower festival in Dong Van’s Ancient Quarter from November 13-15. Detail >>

	Phong Nha-Ke Bang wins 2nd UNESCO recognition The Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park in central Quang Binh province received its second UNESCO recognition on July 3. Detail >>

	Tourism festival to be held at Tram Chim National Park The Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta province of Dong Thap will organise a tourism festival at the Tram Chim National Park in Tam Nong District on September 25. Detail >>

	Nine national relic sites recognised An additional nine historical, architectural and archaeological relics nationwide have been listed as national relic sites under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s decision. Detail >>

	Ba Na Hills splendid with European festival A European festival themed “The Colour of Summer” is taking place in Ba Na Hills tourist area in central Da Nang City. Detail >>

	Vietnam Arlines receives Boeing 787 Dreamliner A ceremony to hand over the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner to Vietnam Airlines by Boeing company was held at Ronald Reagan Airport on July 7 in the presence of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong who is in the US for an official visit. Detail >>

	Hoi An offers night tours of Cu Lao Cham Island Besides day tours, the Hoi An City People's Committee has opened all-day tours on Cu Lao Cham Island every Saturday, attracting many tourists. Detail >>

	Trade Union: Building and developing Vietnamese culture and people On July 06, in Nghe An, Trade Union of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism organized a seminar “Trade Union – Building and Developing Vietnamese culture and People to meet sustainable demand of the country.” Detail >>

	Ranking more 09 national relics Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism promulgated Decisions to recognize more 09 national relics. Detail >>