Developing Son Tay Town into an attractive tourist destination of Ha Noi

(TITC) – On 1^st June 2023, the Ha Noi Department of Tourism coordinated with the People’s Committee of Son Tay Town (west of Ha Noi centre) to organize a conference on civilized behavior in tourism and community tourism for residents of Duong Lam commune. This is an activity to guide people to develop community-based tourism, contributing to building Son Tay Town into one of Ha Noi’s key tourist destinations.

Identifying tourism as a key economic sector, Son Tay Town has recently implemented synchronous solutions for sustainable urban development in association with tourism development. In which focusing on building tours at the town’s famous monuments like Son Tay Ancient Citadel, Va Temple, Duong Lam ancient village, Khai Nguyen pagoda, Mang temple, Vietnam Culture and Tourism Village, Dong Mo tourist area. Besides, a pedestrian street was also formed, becoming a new attractive destination for people and tourists.

Some households doing tourism in Duong Lam Ancient Village have obtained positive results when more and more tourists come to the ancient village. However, the people of the ancient village need to preserve the inherent historical culture and promote tourism economic activities, from the people who directly do tourism to the people who providing tourist souvenirs.

Free lacquer training class at Duong Lam Ancient Village. Photo: TITC

According to Deputy Director of Ha Noi Department of Tourism Mr. Nguyen Hong Minh, in order for Son Tay tourism to increase its attraction and develop sustainably, in addition to preserving existing heritage values, people need to pay attention to preserving the environment, clean village roads and alleys. Developing community-based tourism should pay attention to civilized behaviors and attitudes for customers; creating gift from OCOP products.

Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Hong Long, Director of Faculty of Tourism, University of Social Sciences and Humanities emphasized the need to provide more experience activities for visitors at home; upgrade community accommodation facilities to extend vacations and increase spending; exploiting the advantages of traditional cuisine, making cuisine one of the “specialties” to attract tourists.

According to the Ha Noi’s Construction General Plan to 2030, vision of 2050, Son Tay is identified as one of the five satellite towns of Ha Noi – the cultural-historical and leisure hot pot. In the period of 2025-2030, Son Tay strives to become one of the capital’s tourist destinations. In 2022, the town has welcomed 653,741 visitor arrivals (13,741 international visitors). Duong Lam commune tourist spot welcomed 340,000 visitor arrivals.

Currently, Son Tay town has two tourist attractions recognized by the Ha Noi People’s Committee, including: Duong Lam ancient village (the first and only ancient village of Son Tay to be awarded the “National Cultural and Historical Relic”) and Long Ho village tourist area at Kim Son commune.