The conference attracted more than 50 papers and over 80 tourism scholars and experts, and also leaders in Departments of Culture, Sports and Tourism in Northwest Vietnam

Assoc. Prof. Dr Pham Quang Minh (Vice Rector of USSH) delivers his opening speech

At the workshop, many experts and researchers discussed such topics as: criteria for developing the models of ecological tourism in the Northwest; the creation of appropriate mechanisms and policies to develop community tourism in the Northwest; the creation of criteria for ecological tourism in Vietnam.

The Northwest Vietnam consists of the provinces of Cao Bang, Ha Giang, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Son La, Yen Bai, Tuyen Quang, Bac Kan and Hoa Binh. It is a region naturally endowed with magnificent landscapes, expansive terrain and a diverse ecological system. It is also the living place of diverse ethnicities, a secure base and safe haven for the former Vietnamese revolutionaries.

These features constitute a huge advantage for the Northwest in developing ecological tourism, which aims towards sustainable development based on nature and native cultures.

In recent years, although tourism in the Northwest has strongly developed, many problems and challenges, including the lack of mechanisms and policies, cause it difficult for the tourism industry  to avail its full potential.

Prof. Dr. Sc To Ngoc Thanh, President of the Vietnam Association of Folklorists delivers his keynote speech

Speaking at the workshop, Prof. To Ngoc Thanh (President of the Vietnam Association of Folklorists) discussed some issues on the mechanisms and policies for ecological and cultural tourism in the Northwest. He said: “The State should devise concrete policies to support tourism development or to solve the remaining issues pertaining tourism protection, preservation and development in the Northwest”.

To maintain a sustainable development of ecological tourism, according to Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, it is necessary to focus on four criteria: environmental protection and maintaining the ecosystem – this is the first and foremost criterion; second is the proper preservation and utilization of native cultural values – including all the popular lifestyles, customs and beliefs associated with the natural ecosystem that make up the worth of the region; third is the organization of educational activities involving the environment and ecosystem; and finally the mobilization of communities into these activities.

In his paper “Developing appropriate mechanisms and policies to promote community tourism in the Northwest”, Dr. Duong Van Sau remarked: “Community tourism is performed by bringing tourism to local areas and to native communities. This activity is aimed at exploiting the available strengths and potentials. However, focus has to be given to the implementation of community tourism so as to avoid its being abused”.

Many opinions of the scientists, experts and leaders of the Departments of Culture, Sports and Tourism were also discussed and shared at the workshop to find common knowledge, experiences and ideas to construct proper mechanisms and policies for tourism in the Northwest.