(HBO) – The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the northern province of Hoa Binh recently held a familiarisation trip (famtrip) to study and develop tourism products and build a brand for the Hoa Binh Lake Tourism Area, with the participation of representatives from the Hanoi Department of Tourism and tour operators.

The famtrip
delegation explores tourist site in Ke hamlet, Hien Luong commune (Da Bac
district).
The delegation learned about the
situation in tourist destinations, including community-based tourist hamlets,
caves, springs and tourist spots in the districts of Da Bac, Mai Chau, Tan Lac
and Cao Phong, and Hoa Binh city. Of those destinations, some have been under
effective operation such as Ban Tru hamlet of Thai Thinh commune (Hoa Binh
city); Ke hamlet of Hien Luong commune and Da Bia hamlet of Tien Phong commune
(Da Bac district); Ngoi hamlet of Ngoi Hoa commune (Tan Lac district); Suoi Lon
hamlet of Tan Mai commune (Mai Chau district); and waterfalls and islands in
Hoa Binh Lake like the lake on the mountain, twin waterfalls in Trach spring,
coconut and windmill islands.
Tour operators lauded the huge
tourism potential of Hoa Binh Lake, with clear water, natural and beautiful mountains
which make picturesque landscapes, along with local people’s friendliness. Some
destinations boast professional service providers, delicious and clean food.
Although Hoa Binh Lake is wide,
vehicles travelling on the lake are limited in capacity and quality while
scattered tourism spots have yet to form routes and create long journeys to
lure visitors.
At present, food around the lake
mainly includes fish, hill chicken, local pigs and wide bamboo shoots and
vegetables, among others. They are all clean and tasty products, however,
cooking process and food arrangement remain unattractive. Additionally, there
has been no specific cuisine planning for each region, so products are still
overlapped. Some other products like brocade, rattan and bamboo products and
handicrafts have yet to be put up for sale systematically.
At the end of the trip, tour
operators affirmed that as Hoa Binh Lake boasts huge tourism potential, they
will introduce and devise new travel programmes that bring more guests to
explore the culture of local ethnic people here as well as contemplate the
pristine and spectacular beauty of the lake./.
As the new year begins and festive spirit fills the air, visitors flock to Hoa Binh lake, often dubbed the "Ha Long Bay on land," to enjoy its breathtaking beauty and serene atmosphere. In spring, the lake comes alive with lush greenery and delicate blossoms, while boats carrying eager tourists glide across its tranquil waters.
With effective business operations, significant increases in the number of visitors at weekends and on public holidays, and being listed among the 71 most beautiful places to visit worldwide by the prestigious US travel magazine Condé Nast Traveller, Hoa Binh’s tourism is "spreading its wings" on its journey towards the targets of welcoming 4.9 million visitors, including 1 million foreigners, and achieving total tourism revenue of 5.4 trillion VND (211.89 million USD) in 2025.
On February 21, the Provincial People's Committee held a conference to implement the tourism plan in 2025 and meet with tourism businesses operating in the province. The event was chaired by Mr. Nguyen Van Toan, the Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee and the Head of the Provincial Tourism Steering Committee.
Tien Pagoda is located in the valley of Lao Noi and Lao Ngoai villages, Phu Nghia commune, Lac Thuy district; it is surrounded by two mountain ranges stretching like two giant dragons reaching for the blue sky. Every year, when spring comes, thousands of Buddhists and tourists from all over the country make a pilgrimage to Tien Pagoda. The relic complex of Tien Pagoda is ranked as a national relic by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism with 21 relic sites of many types: historical and cultural relics, scenic relics, and archaeological relics.
Cao Phong has paid due attention to developing tourism, creating impetus for socio-economic development towards completing the targets set in the resolution of the district’s 28th Party Congress for the 2020-2025 tenure.
A great number of visitors have flocked to tourist attractions in Hoa Binh province in the first lunar month every year to admire the beautiful scenery, fully enjoy the spring atmosphere, and immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere in many localities.