Ha Giang, with its dramatic landscapes such as the Lung Cu Flag Tower, Ma Pi Leng Pass, Dong Van Karst Plateau Global Geopark, and Hoang Su Phi's terraced rice fields, is renowned for its ethnic diversity and rugged charm. Meanwhile, Tuyen Quang is celebrated as a revolutionary heartland, featuring the special national relic site of Tan Trao, the mystical Na Hang - Lam Binh hydropower reservoir, and the vibrant, Guinness-certified Thanh Tuyen Festival.
The merger allows for the integration of these unique assets, creating a seamless tourism space where heritage, culture, and ecology interconnect. According to Mr. Le Thanh Son, Deputy Director of the Tuyen Quang Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, this connection offers a foundation for crafting unified development policies, promoting investment, and building a joint regional tourism brand.
In 2024, Tuyen Quang welcomed over 2.7 million tourists with an estimated revenue of VND3.600 billion, while Ha Giang attracted more than 3.2 million visitors, generating over VND8.100 billion. Industry stakeholders see this merger as an opportunity not just to combine statistics but to design collaborative tourism products that enhance visitor experience and prolong stays.
Tourism businesses are already exploring interprovincial tours that span both provinces, offering a richer narrative and encouraging deeper cultural engagement. However, experts stress the importance of coordinated efforts from digital transformation and regional planning to workforce training, ensuring that local communities become active participants and innovators in the tourism ecosystem.
Despite its promise, the region faces several challenges: underdeveloped transport infrastructure (such as the Bac Me - Lam Binh route), insufficient waterway utilization on the Gam River, and limited lodging and tourist services.
As noted by local tourism professionals and academics, the merger is not merely a geographic shift but a transformative chance to reshape tourism through smart, inclusive strategies. If supported by effective governance, business collaboration, and community engagement, Tuyen Quang - Ha Giang could emerge as a flagship destination in northern Vietnam, where every journey becomes a meaningful exploration of nature, culture, and national pride.
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