Cao Bang Tourism - Aspiration to break through from the 19th Congress Resolution - Final episode

Over the past 5 years (2020 - 2025), the Key Program for Tourism Development, which has been vigorously implemented, has created a new development step: infrastructure has been invested, products have become increasingly diverse and unique, and "Non Nuoc Cao Bang" tourism has gradually become a brand, spreading strongly. Provincial tourism not only brings in revenue but also creates jobs, contributes to preserving and promoting cultural heritage values and improving people's lives. Cao Bang tourism has been and is affirming itself as an important driving force for socio -economic development, opening up a vision to 2030 and the following years.

Results from a decisive term

Implementing the Resolution of the 19th Provincial Party Congress (2020 - 2025), with the synchronous participation of the entire political system, the province has mobilized resources to develop tourism and achieved many clear results, affirming its increasingly important role in the economic structure. According to the report of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in 2024, Cao Bang welcomed over 2 million tourists, including over 600,000 international visitors, with an average annual growth rate of over 15%. In the first 8 months of 2025 alone, the number of visitors reached over 1.7 million, equal to over 60% of the yearly plan; tourism revenue reached 1,600 billion VND, accounting for 76% of the plan, showing the prospect of reaching and exceeding the yearly target. It is expected that by the end of 2025, total tourism revenue will reach 2,600 billion VND, contributing over 5% of the province's GRDP.

Not only does tourism generate revenue, it also directly creates new jobs and livelihoods. The whole province currently has thousands of workers participating in the tourism service chain, from tour guides, drivers, tourist boats, restaurants, hotels to households running homestays, developing OCOP products and traditional craft villages. Typically, in the UNESCO Global Geopark Non Nuoc Cao Bang, more than 50 community homestays have come into operation, helping household income increase 3-4 times compared to pure farming.

Regarding infrastructure, many routes to key tourist areas and destinations such as Ban Gioc waterfall, Thang Hen lake, Nguom Ngao cave have been upgraded; wards and communes have established more 3-4 star hotels, resorts, and support services; standard community tourism is increasingly expanding. Along with that, tourism products are also more diverse: eco-tourism, experience, trekking, community tourism, history - revolution, spirituality and cuisine, creating unique attractions.

Contribute to creating new livelihoods and improving people's lives

One of the most obvious impacts that tourism brings to Cao Bang is creating new livelihoods for thousands of people, especially ethnic minorities in the geopark heritage area, contributing to the economic restructuring from pure agriculture to services and tourism. From homestay models in Khuoi Ky (Trung Khanh), Khuoi Khon (Bao Lac), Lan's Nung (Dam Thuy)... to boating services and community cuisine in Thang Hen Lake, many Tay, Nung, Dao, and Lo Lo ethnic households have escaped the situation of living solely on slash-and-burn farming. If in the past a household only earned 20-30 million VND/year, now it can reach 80-100 million VND/year, or even higher.

Ms. Chi Thi Duyen, a Lo Lo ethnic, who works in community tourism in Khuoi Khon hamlet (Kim Cuc commune), said: In the past, my family only grew rice and corn, so life was difficult. Since opening a homestay, I have had a more stable income and introduced the customs and cuisine of the Lo Lo people. Thanks to tourism, Khuoi Khon hamlet is known to more people.

When people benefit clearly, they become active subjects in heritage conservation and sustainable tourism development. Practice proves that Cao Bang tourism not only contributes to economic restructuring but also improves living standards, preserves identity and builds a friendly and attractive image of Cao Bang on the international map.

In particular, tourism not only contributes to economic development, but also helps preserve cultural identity and the environment. The Long Tong, Nang Hai and Quang Uyen Fireworks festivals have been restored, linked with cultural and spiritual tours, becoming attractive products that both preserve customs and attract tourists. The models of "green tourism" and "no plastic waste tourism" piloted in Trung Khanh and Quang Hoa have raised public awareness in protecting natural landscapes.

Provincial Party Secretary Quan Minh Cuong encouraged artisans and mass actors to elevate Cao Bang's unique Then melodies at the National Achievement Exhibition "80 Years of Journey of Independence - Freedom - Happiness" held in Hanoi.

Overcoming challenges - reaching new heights

Despite many positive results during the 19th Provincial Party Congress, the journey to turn tourism into a spearhead economic sector of the province still faces many challenges and limitations. Investment capital is still limited compared to the need for large-scale infrastructure; tourism human resources are lacking in quantity and weak in quality, especially foreign language and digital technology skills; products are not diverse and truly different to create their own brand; international promotion is not strong enough and connecting traffic infrastructure is still a major bottleneck.

These limitations pose an urgent requirement for the 20th Provincial Party Congress (2025 - 2030): there must be more fundamental, drastic and sustainable solutions. The focus is on increasing the mobilization of social resources, attracting strategic enterprises to invest in key tourist areas such as Ban Gioc waterfall area and surrounding areas with many beautiful landscapes; Mat Than Mountain, Thang Hen Lake, famous heritage sites of Non Nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark that have not been invested in the 5 experiential tourism routes. Along with that, the province will prioritize training high-quality human resources, building a team of professional international managers and tour guides, capable of serving international visitors and integrating.

A consistent orientation emphasized is to develop according to the green - sustainable tourism model, focusing on people. Not chasing quantity, the province focuses on exploiting natural values, indigenous cultural heritage, geological and historical park heritage associated with environmental conservation and preservation. New tourism products will be based on specific advantages: Tay, Nung, Dao, Lo Lo ethnic communities... with homestays, festivals and craft villages; unique natural landscapes; culinary specialties, resort tourism, health care... This will be the direction to create a unique identity, competitive with the northern mountainous provinces, difficult to mix with other localities.

According to comrade Le Hai Hoa, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, the 20th Provincial Party Congress must set a clear goal: Cao Bang tourism should promote green and sustainable development, linking heritage conservation with community livelihoods. When people benefit from tourism, they will become active subjects, contributing to spreading the tourism brand of Cao Bang.

With strong political determination and the right direction from now to 20230, the province aims to welcome 3.5 - 4 million visitors/year, including 1 million international visitors; tourism revenue reaches over 3,000 billion VND, accounting for a high proportion of GRDP. More importantly, tourism will become a key economic sector, a driving force to promote structural transformation, improve people's lives, and bring the image of Cao Bang to the international level.

Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Quoc Trung: After nearly a term of implementing the Key Program for Tourism Development, the Resolution of the 19th Provincial Party Congress has created an important breakthrough in the socio-economic development of the province. Not only creating new livelihoods, bringing in revenue and jobs for the people, but also contributing to preserving cultural identity, protecting nature, and enhancing the province's position in international integration.

Quang Trung - Truong Ha

Source: https://baocaobang.vn/du-lich-cao-bang-khat-vong-but-pha-tu-nghi-quyet-dai-hoi-xix-ky-cuoi-3181396.html