To tackle the issue, the transportation and tourism network are keys to the growth of the northwest region. On Saturday in Hanoi, this opinion was raised at a conference on policy to foster northwest links from 2016 – 2020.
Participants at the event stressed the importance of developing a transportation network in the region. Attracting investment for transportation development is considered the driving force for the region's development and connectivity, particularly projects on building highways connecting provinces and new airports.
"We need to prioritise the transportation network. It will facilitate other sectors in which the Northwest Region has advantages, particularly tourism. Transportation must be easy to develop tourism", Assoc. Prof. Phung Xuan Nha, Director of Vietnam National University in Hanoi, said.
A report presented at the event revealed that only 29 out of 300 foreign tourists to Sapa continue their trip to Hà Giang. Only 10 continue to visit Lai Chau – Dien Bien. These are tourist attractions in the region with great potential. The remaining number goes back to Hanoi. Tourism connections between localities in the region still remain an issue.
"Tourists often visit the Northwest region only once. They might plan to stay there for several days, but they can’t, as there are few tourism products", Truong Xuan Cu, Deputy Head of Northwest Steering Committee, said.
Participants at the event agreed that the region should focus on creating new tourism products while creating preferential policies to attract investment. In addition, regional connectivity for tourism is key to the region’s economic growth.
