Son La province held a ceremony at May 8 Square in the Administrative Centre of Moc Chau district on May 18 evening to announce the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s decision recognising the Moc Chau National Tourist Area.
The event saw the presence of Tong Thi Phong, former Politburo member and former Standing Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly; Ho An Phong, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism; leaders of several ministries and central agencies, the legislature’s Committees and Councils, some provinces and cities; representatives of embassies of several countries in Vietnam; and leaders of nine Northern Lao provinces.
Also attending the event were Nguyen Huu Dong, member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Son La provincial Party Committee and head of the provincial delegation of NA deputies; Hoang Quoc Khanh, Deputy Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee; Nguyen Thai Hung, member of the provincial Party Committee’s Standing Board and Chairman of the provincial People’s Council; former provincial leaders; leaders of provincial departments and agencies, and Moc Chau and Van Ho districts; along with a large number of local residents and tourists.
On April 22, 2024, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism signed Decision No. 1077/QD-BVHTTDL on recognising the Moc Chau National Tourist Area in Son La province. The recognition will create an important motivation for Son La province in general, and Moc Chau and Van Ho districts in particular to continue their efforts to develop tourism here, affirming its position on the world tourism map, and making it worthy of being a national tourist area.
Moc Chau tourist area extends across the districts of Moc Chau and Van Ho, situated along the renowned tourist route ‘Through the Northwest.’ In recent years, there has been significant and sustainable development within the Moc Chau National Tourist Area. The tourism environment has progressively improved, with a focus on elevating the quality of services to meet the expectations of both domestic and international tourists. This growth has not only created numerous employment opportunities but has also contributed to increased incomes for local residents and businesses. Such developments play a pivotal role in the ongoing efforts towards sustainable poverty reduction.
In 2023, Moc Chau National Tourist Area welcomed 2.5 million visitors, with an average tourist growth rate of 16%/year; Total tourism revenue reached more than 3,000 billion VND, the growth rate reached 27.8%/year, creating jobs for 5,100 direct workers and many indirect workers in society. The growth of the tourism industry had a positive impact on many other industries; promoting exports, making an important contribution to sustainable poverty reduction and improving people’s lives.
Moc Chau was honoured as the world’s leading natural destination
The event aims to promote media effects, increase promotion and promote tourism activities for the place that has been honoured as the “World’s Leading Regional Natural Destination” by the Award Organization for 2 consecutive years. World Tourism Organization (WTA) voted and announced to the people of Son La ethnic groups, delegates, domestic and international tourists.
Efforts will be focused on developing the Moc Chau National Tourist Area in accordance with Vietnam’s tourism development strategy, and making it one of the leading tourist areas in the northern midland and mountainous region and one of the key national tourist areas of the whole country.
At the announcement ceremony, an art program with the theme “Moc Chau, Van Ho – Beautiful Highlands” took place with the participation of nearly 450 artists and actors from the Provincial Music and Dance Theater; students of Son La College and actors, mass arts nucleus of Moc Chau district and Son La city.
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