Tourism cooperation between Ho Chi Minh City and 8 Northeastern provinces contributes significantly to local socio-economic development

Overview of the conference. Photo (TITC)

According to the report, the Tourism Development Cooperation Program for the period 2020 - 2025, especially in the last two years of 2024 - 2025, has achieved many remarkable results. The close coordination between Ho Chi Minh City and 8 Northeastern provinces has created a combined strength, enhanced competitiveness and built a unique tourism brand for each locality. With the orientation of "Unique products - Quality services - Reasonable prices - Safe and attractive destinations", the provinces have effectively exploited rich natural resources and diverse cultural identities. Thanks to that, tourism not only contributes significantly to economic growth but also creates a driving force for social development in localities.

Mr. Nguyen Dang An - Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Lang Son province and Ms. Nguyen Thi Anh Hoa - Director of the Department of Tourism of Ho Chi Minh City co-chaired the conference. Photo: TITC

The provinces have proactively developed and implemented many specific plans, notably the Tourism Promotion Conference in Bac Kan, the Northeast Cultural Festival in Lang Son or the Ho Chi Minh City International Tourism Fair. Localities have also increased the sharing of information on planning, tourism products and tourist markets, and organized training courses and field surveys to learn from each other's experiences in developing community tourism and managing travel activities. These efforts have created close connections, helping the provinces make the most of their available potential.

Mr. Nguyen Dang An - Director of Lang Son Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism reported at the conference. Photo: TITC

In the field of product development, Ho Chi Minh City and the Northeastern provinces have developed many typical types of tourism such as eco-tourism, sea and island tourism, spiritual tourism, community tourism and border tourism. Ho Chi Minh City plays a central role in connecting and effectively implementing domestic single-route tours and attractive multi-route itineraries such as "Hanoi - Sapa - Ha Long" or "Discovering the Northeast - Mountainous Beauty". Activities such as Famtrip, seminars, and culinary festivals are also organized enthusiastically, creating a bridge for tourism businesses to promote products and expand cooperation networks. Meanwhile, provinces such as Bac Kan, Tuyen Quang, and Thai Nguyen promote communication through websites, social networks and major events such as the 15th "Through the Viet Bac Heritage Sites", bringing the image of regional tourism closer to domestic and international tourists.

Mr. Nguyen Dang An - Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Lang Son said that in the period of 2024 - 2025, the total number of tourists to the Northeastern provinces and Ho Chi Minh City will reach 69.2 million, bringing in total tourism revenue of about 205,586 billion VND. 2025 marks the final stage of the cooperation program for the period of 2020 - 2025. This conference is not only an opportunity to review what has been achieved but also an opportunity for the parties to discuss and propose solutions to maintain and improve the effectiveness of the cooperation in the coming time. Representatives of the cooperation working group emphasized the desire to continue to promote cooperation in a practical manner, focusing on innovating operating methods, enhancing information and experience exchange, as well as applying digital technology in tourism promotion and advertising. Developing new tours, supporting the consumption of local products and exploiting the unique features of each province are also considered top priorities.

Mr. Nguyen Quy Phuong - Head of Tourism Promotion Management Department (Vietnam National Administration of Tourism) spoke at the conference. Photo (TITC)

Speaking at the Conference, Mr. Nguyen Quy Phuong, Head of Tourism Promotion Management Department (Vietnam National Administration of Tourism) highly appreciated the cooperation between Ho Chi Minh City and the Northeastern provinces. The cooperation not only helps create a combined strength but also enhances competitiveness and builds unique tourism brands for each locality. He also suggested that in the coming time, the tourism industry of Ho Chi Minh City and the Northeastern region should continue to enhance the application of digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI), helping to improve the tourist experience and management efficiency. Digital transformation and AI not only help improve management processes but also open up many new opportunities in promoting and reaching tourists.

He said the Government is interested in expanding visa policies and improving immigration procedures to facilitate attracting international visitors. This is a great opportunity to promote international tourism to Vietnam. The tourism industry needs to strengthen digital communications, promote Vietnamese tourism, and improve service quality to attract more visitors. In addition, it is necessary to continue promoting close cooperation between localities and businesses to develop sustainable tourism, linking to create unique tourism products. Mr. Phuong believes that with consensus and the right direction, this cooperation mechanism promises to continue to develop strongly, making tourism in the Northeast region and Ho Chi Minh City an unmissable destination on the tourism map of Vietnam and the world.

Overview of the conference. Photo (TITC)

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Anh Hoa, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, the Northeast region possesses invaluable potential from natural resources, culture, cuisine to unique indigenous values. This is not only the pride of each locality but also the common asset of the whole country. Ho Chi Minh City is committed to promoting extensive cooperation to exploit and elevate Vietnam's tourism on the world map. Cooperation between Ho Chi Minh City and the Northeast provinces will bring revenue and jobs to the localities, while promoting travel businesses to develop new products.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Anh Hoa, Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, spoke at the conference. Photo (TITC)

To enhance cooperation efficiency, promotion will be promoted through digital platforms. The provinces plan to increase the connection of tourism websites, share promotional links and apply digital transformation technology in tourism management and promotion. In addition, support for tourism businesses in seeking investment opportunities and exploiting local tourism potential will also be focused. The provinces need to create favorable conditions and provide timely information for businesses to develop sustainable tourism projects, contributing to the preservation and promotion of cultural and historical values.

The tourism development cooperation program between Ho Chi Minh City and the Northeastern provinces for the period 2024 - 2025 has created clear impressions, affirming the great potential of the region. Although there are still challenges, with consensus and the right direction, this cooperation mechanism promises to continue to develop strongly, making Northeast tourism and Ho Chi Minh City an unmissable destination on the tourism map of Vietnam and the world. This conference is an important stepping stone for all parties to look to a bright future, where tourism is not only an economic sector but also a cultural bridge and sustainable development.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/hop-tac-du-lich-tp-ho-chi-minh-va-8-tinh-dong-bac-gop-phan-quan-trong-phat-trien-kinh-te-xa-hoi-dia-phuong-20250404083135402.htm