Lao Cai is seeking to expand its tourism offerings by linking agriculture, forests, traditional crafts and local culture with rural travel experiences.
The initiative is part of a coordination programme for agriculture and rural tourism development for the 2026-2030 period, signed by the provincial departments of Agriculture and Environment and Culture, Sports and Tourism on September 3.
Under the programme, the two departments will work to connect farming areas, agricultural and One Commune One Product (OCOP) products, craft villages and forest resources with tourist destinations, services and markets.
The province plans to survey, select and support seven to 10 agriculture and rural tourism models during 2026-2030, or one to two a year.
Priority will be given to areas specialising in tea, cinnamon, medicinal plants, temperate fruit, vegetables, flowers and cold-water fish farming. The models will also incorporate community-based tourism, forest ecotourism, traditional crafts and OCOP products.
Lao Cai has over 860,000 hectares of forest, providing significant potential for ecotourism, resorts and forest-based experiences. The province plans to attract investment in projects that lease forest environments for ecotourism, resorts and recreational activities during the 2026-2030 period.
It also has large-scale agricultural production areas, including over 15,700 hectares of tea, about 148,000 hectares of cinnamon and some 6,800 hectares of medicinal plants, alongside temperate fruit, vegetable and flower farms and cold-water fish farming.
These resources provide a basis for tourism experiences linked to farming seasons, production processes, local products and community culture.
The province also aims to develop rural industries to generate jobs and income while preserving landscapes and cultural identity.
Under its rural industry development plan to 2030, Lao Cai aims to develop four craft villages and two traditional craft villages linked to tourism, broadening visitor experiences and adding value to local products.
In forest-rich areas, Lao Cai is promoting ecotourism, including in the core and buffer zones of Bat Xat Nature Reserve, which targets at least 200,000 visitors and VND 200 billion (USD 7.6 million) in annual revenue by 20
Under the coordination programme, the Department of Agriculture and Environment will identify farming areas, models and products with tourism potential and provide guidance on production processes, food safety, environmental protection, land use and forestry.
The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism will focus on developing and standardising tourism products and destinations, linking tour operators and accommodation providers with production areas and markets, and strengthening promotion and workforce training.
The two departments will also develop databases and digital maps, digitise destinations and introduce QR codes providing information on farming areas, OCOP products, product traceability, craft villages and tourist sites.
The initiative is expected to make better use of Lao Cai's agricultural, forest and cultural resources, add value to local products, diversify rural livelihoods and promote greener, more sustainable tourism.
