Lao Cai Province cooperating with French experts in development of adventure tourism (Photo: Lao Cai News)

According to Lao Cai News, in the cooperation agreement, experts from the Nouvelle Aquitaine region will assist Lao Cai in professionalising its activities and operating tourist houses; training French language for provincial workers; cooperate with volunteers and develop tourism products, especially adventure sports tourism.

Among the adventure sports tourism activities supported by the Nouvelle Aquitaine expert, the waterfall canyoning is a new product in Lao Cai. The activity is being tested by the Center for Environmental Education and Environmental Services Hoang Lien. The Center has organised a number of tourist groups to participate in the experience and receive positive feedback.

Mr. Chao Vu Phau, staff at the Center for Environmental Education and Environmental Services Hoang Lien, one of the tour guides trained by experts from the Nouvelle Aquitaine region for 2 years (Photo: Lao Cai News)

Mr. Pham Tat Thanh, Director of Lao Cai Tourism Promotion Information Center said to Lao Cai News that, besides supporting the development of tourism products, experts also advise on biodiversity conservation. Regarding tested adventure sports tourism products, the French side is ready to support replication in places with suitable conditions, turning Lao Cai into a centre for the development of adventure sports combined with tourism.

In addition to coordinating to develop new tourism products in the period of 2020 - 2022, Tourism Promotion Information Center had meetings with delegations of experts, doctoral students and volunteers on free French training for local ethnic minority workers. At the same time, study the technical support mechanism, conditions for the establishment and operation of the Francophone Center in Sa Pa town.

In 2022, a delegation of experts from the Nouvelle Aquitaine region came to Bac Ha District to survey the location of kayak and bicycle activities; training for 15 trainers, sports tour guides for extreme sports activities. Experts from the Nouvelle Aquitaine region also coordinate with the Provincial Sports Competition and Training Center to train sports skills. Trainers are granted international sports certificates and are capable of retraining tour guides in learned skills.

Waterfall canyoning - one of tourism products supported by French experts (Photo: Lao Cai News)

The Department of Tourism of Lao Cai Province coordinates with French experts to develop 8 new sports tourism products for tourists who love to explore nature and outdoor sports activities in Bac Ha District. The products are in the testing phase and officially put into operation in May 2023. French experts also support the development of communication strategies for new tourism products, via social networking sites, websites, leaflets; supporting Lao Cai tourism industry in professionalising activities and operating tourist houses.

Experts from the Nouvelle Aquitaine region (France) supporting digital transformation, 3D formation at Hoang A Tuong Palace (Photo: Lao Cai News)

By far, Sa Pa Tourist House and Bac Ha Tourist House have completed the historical interpretation space. Particularly, Bac Ha Tourist House is guided to display ethnic costumes and traditional musical instruments; interpreting traditional beliefs, blacksmithing, silver carving and maze wine making… At the same time, the house supplements functions, organising activities, modern technology and utilities, etc., to improve the operational efficiency of tourist functions. Previously, French experts have successfully performed spatial design support at the Provincial Museum.

In the coming time, French experts continue to support Lao Cai to build provincial tourist houses in Lao Cai City and satellite tourist houses in tourist destinations such as Y Ty (Bat Xat District), Nghia Do (Bao Yen District).

French experts have successfully performed spatial design support at the Provincial Museum (Photo: Lao Cai News)

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