ours to Ha Giang to be developed

17:26' 20/07/2007 (GMT+7)

VietNamNet Bridge – The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism has recently taken a trip to investigate Ha Giang’s potential as a destination for adventure, ecology and culture tours. This was a challenging 7-day and 6-night investigation trip through well-known remote and dangerous areas of the northern mountainous province like Xin Man, Hoang Su Phi, Quan Bạ, Meo Vac, and Dong Van. Nguyen Thi Minh Thu, Head of Hanoi-based Travel Company, a member of the group, said that the first step in the development of a tour was investigation, which includes such important activities as learning about local culture, infrastructure and health services. According to Ms. Thu, whose customers come chiefly from Europe and the US, the most important thing in tours is safety and sanitary conditions. Ha Giang still retains much of its primitiveness and originality in terms of nature and culture and has hardly been touched by commercialism. Since this trip, Mekong Travel has begun to develop tours of 6 days and 5 nights and 5 days and 4 nights, in which picturesque destinations like the rock plateau Dong Van Dong Van, Tien Thang and Xin Man villages will be the main stops. Another member of the investigation trip was Sen Rung Trade and Tourism Company, which has more than 10 years of offering discovery tours to foreign tourists. President of the company Tran Thi Huyen Thanh said tours to such places like Ha Giang helped foreigners discover natural beauty and cultures of Vietnamese ethnicities. Sen Rung has been eyeing Ha Giang for the past two years and considers the July trip a valuable opportunity. Ms. Huyen Thanh suggested that local authorities and travel agencies work together to develop trekking tours for foreigners. According to Ms. Huyen Thanh, Sen Rung will offer at least two kinds of tours for Ha Giang: a 4-5 day tour connecting Tuyen Quang and southern Ha Giang and a 5-7 day one for the rock plateaus, Quang Ba, Yen Minh, Meo Vac, and Dong Van. Vu Thi Thanh Ha from Exotissimo Vietnam Travel said Ha Giang had a lot of potential for tourism development thanks to its breathtaking beauty and interesting cultures of more than 22 ethnic minorities. But there are still many things to do to turn it into a tourist destination. Kevin Tu Quy Thanh from Travelink Company agrees. He said Ha Giang still needed to improve traffic safety, sanitary conditions and health services. He suggested that local authorities put direction signs to famous areas and build fences on dangerous roads to ensure traffic safety as well as build more roads, public restrooms and stops to make it more convenient for tourists. (Source: TBKTSG, Viet Nam Net)