Panel discussion on tourism development associated with agricultural products, OCOP and craft villages in Thai Nguyen province

Thai Nguyen is a land with tourism potential, bringing together numerous cultural heritages, with 277 craft villages and over 200 OCOP products rated from 3 to 5 stars.

These are invaluable resources for Thai Nguyen province to develop various attractive forms of tourism, meeting the demands of tourists. Following Resolution No. 08-NQ/TW dated January 16, 2017, issued by the Politburo on developing tourism as a spearhead economic sector, Thai Nguyen Province Party Committee issued Resolution No. 08-NQ/TU on August 8, 2018, outlining the direction for Thai Nguyen province’s tourism development until 2030. This resolution emphasizes maximizing the province’s potential and strengths, as well as the unique advantages of each locality within the province, to develop tourism into a crucial economic sector, increasingly contributing to the economic structure and serving as a driving force for the province’s rapid and sustainable socio-economic development.

Scene of the panel discussion

The Scheme on Thai Nguyen province tourism development for 2021-2025 period, with a vision to 2030, continues to strive for: “Making Thai Nguyen tourism a focal point in Viet Bac region, offering distinctive cultural tea-related tourism products that are highly competitive and branded; positioning Thai Nguyen tourism as a crucial economic sector of the province with a comprehensive infrastructure system; developing tourism in a professional, high-quality, and effective manner”.

Representatives of Hao Dat Tea Cooperative, Thai Nguyen City expressed their viewpoint on community-based tourism development associated with OCOP

In recent years, Thai Nguyen’s tourism activities have shown remarkable progress, gradually leveraging its tourism potentials and strengths, leaving a positive impression on visitors. In 2023, Thai Nguyen province welcomed 2,498,200 tourists, generating a total revenue of 2,114 billion VND from tourism, marking an 18.75% increase compared to the same period and reaching 71.48% of the target revenue of 3,000 billion VND by 2025. Despite achieving favorable outcomes, objectively assessing the situation, Thai Nguyen’s tourism development hasn’t fully matched its potential and advantages. The competitive edge remains moderate, and there’s a lack of integration, mutual support, and synergy between tourism development and the development of agricultural products, OCOP and craft villages.

Representatives of Thai Nguyen Tea Association proposed ideas to develop community tourism associated with tea industry and tea culture

At the panel discussion, delegates engaged in discussions and expressed opinions on the current situation regarding the development of tourism, the advancement of OCOP products, agriculture, preservation, and the promotion of traditional craft villages. They deliberated on the reality of the integration and proposed solutions, methods, and comprehensive approaches from the perspective of state management agencies, businesses, and citizens to effectively link the development of OCOP products and craft villages with substantial and efficient tourism development.

Additionally, representatives from community tourism cooperatives also presented multiple proposals and recommendations to government authorities regarding mechanisms and policies to address challenges and obstacles. They aimed to foster a genuine and effective linkage between the development of OCOP products, craft villages, and tourism, contributing to economic development for the people. Their aim was to contribute to the construction of new rural areas while preserving traditional craft villages and the distinctive cultural heritage of ethnic groups.

Phuong Thao – Thanh Chung
Thai Nguyen Portal – thainguyen.gov.vn