Exploiting Thanh Hoa connecting tour

In order to create attractive tourism products to stimulate demand and increase the value for tourists, Thanh Hoa province is aiming to build and exploit a number of tours connecting with Hua Phan province (Laos). In which, focusing on tourism products such as experiences, culture - history, community ecology...

Exploiting the Thanh Hoa - Hua Phan connecting tour Some travel businesses in Thanh Hoa province are surveying and building tours connecting with destinations in Hua Phan province.

Located in the Northeast of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), Hua Phan province has 157 tourist areas, including 64 scenic areas, 64 historical tourist areas and 29 cultural tourist areas. Among them, the important tourist highlight of the province is Vieng Xay district - the famous resistance capital of Laos, which has become a favorite destination for many tourists.

With its rugged mountain terrain and nearly 500 unique caves scattered around, Vieng Xay was chosen as the Lao revolutionary base during the resistance war against the US. Here, the natural caves deep in the mountains were expanded to create artificial tunnels through the mountains leading to the residence and workplace of President Khamtay Siphandone and many Lao revolutionary leaders who lived, worked and led the resistance until the day of total victory of the revolution. Today, this place is not only a historical and cultural relic, but also a famous tourist destination with a beautiful cave system, attracting many international visitors to visit.

In addition to the caves, when coming to Vieng Xay, visitors can participate in the traditional Water Festival of the Land of a Million Elephants to pray for good luck. Along with that, enjoy the unique and famous cuisine of Laos such as sticky rice, laap (traditional dishes on Tet holiday), Savanakhet grilled chicken, Khausoy, pork rinds rolled with raw vegetables, Tam Maak Hung (papaya salad), and Lao beer - the beer praised as the best in Southeast Asia.

As a link in the cultural linkage chain of the Northwest, North Central, South Central regions and partly bordering the Lao PDR, Thanh Hoa province is rising to become a bright spot in tourism development. One of the tourism development orientations in the new situation of the province is to promote linkages and develop diverse tourism products. In particular, cooperation activities with Hua Phan province aim to create attractive tourism products to stimulate demand and increase the experience value for visitors. In 2019, Thanh Hoa province announced the Quan Son - Vieng Xay tour with many tours connecting attractive destinations such as: Thanh Hoa City/Sam Son - Ho Dynasty Citadel World Heritage - Cam Luong Fish Stream - Pu Luong - Ngam Village - Vieng Xay; Thanh Hoa City/Sam Son City - Lam Kinh Historical Relic Site - Bo Cung Cave - Ngam Village - Vieng Xay; Thanh Hoa City/Sam Son City - Nang Cat Village, Ma Hao Waterfall - Ngam Village - Na Meo International Border Gate - Vieng Xay... However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, tourism connection and exploitation activities are temporarily interrupted.

Implementing the 2024 cooperation agreement between Thanh Hoa province and Hua Phan province, it is expected that in September 2024, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism will preside over and coordinate with relevant units to organize a delegation of businesses and the press to survey and experience to build and promote tours and tourist routes of Thanh Hoa - Hua Phan provinces. In particular, continue to select typical and suitable survey points to connect to bring about practical results.

Specifically, in Thanh Hoa province, the delegation will focus on surveying a number of locations in Quan Son district such as: Ngam village community tourism area, Bo Cung cave, Tu Ma Hai Dao temple, Na Meo border gate... In Hua Phan province, the delegation will visit and survey a number of locations such as: Kaysone Phomvihane house (in President Kaysone's garden), Kaysone office cave, Politburo meeting room, Nouhak Phoumsavan house; Nouhak Phoumsavan cave, Prince Souphanouvong's cave (Vieng Xay); Wat PhoXayanalam pagoda stupa, Sam Neua market, Sam Neua square (Sam Neua town)...

Thanh Hoa province hopes that promoting cooperation and linkage in developing Thanh Hoa - Hua Phan tourism will open up opportunities to attract more domestic and international tourists, at the same time open up opportunities to attract investment and develop destinations, as a lever to promote the development of other economic sectors of both provinces. Thereby contributing to strengthening the friendly cooperation relationship between Vietnam - Laos in general and the two localities of Thanh Hoa and Hua Phan in particular.

Article and photos: Hoai Anh

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