Expanding the lotus cultivation area and better cooperation between the authorities and people of Tay Ho District and tour operators are key to developing local tourism, said Truong Minh Tien, Chairman of the Hanoi UNESCO Club Association.

Demonstration by a local lotus tea artisan at the ongoing Hanoi Lotus Festival 2024. Photo: Hoai Nam/The Hanoi Times

"Tay Ho is the only metropolitan district in Hanoi that has large lotus ponds," Tien said at a conference on Saturday as part of the ongoing lotus festival.

"The district should find ways to combine its wealth of popular relics and attractions with tours to the lotus ponds to enhance the tourist experience," he said.

Local authorities and people should strengthen their cooperation with travel companies to tap the full potential of tourism in Tay Ho District, Tien added.

Tourist attractions in the district need to improve the quality of their services, said Pham Duy Nghia, Director of VietFoot Travel.

They need closer contact with travel agencies to bring tourists to Tay Ho," Nghia said, adding, "Tay Ho District authorities should invite competent travel agencies to invest in quality products and services.  

According to Phạm Hải Quỳnh, Director of the Asia Tourism Development Institute, local traditional crafts workshops, relics and tour operators should work together to develop the itinerary.

It will be a win-win situation for local families, encouraging them to maintain traditional jobs and values and thus boost tourism," he said.

Phung Quang Thang, Chairman of Vietnam Green Tourism Association - Hanoi, said that Tay Ho District has advantages for the development of cultural and nature tourism.

He urged local authorities to pay more attention to making the environment and landscapes cleaner and healthier.

The district's local attractions would be better exploited if it had expanded parking areas to accommodate larger groups of tourists and improved the competence of tour guides.

Vice Chairwoman of Tay Ho District People's Committee Bui Thi Lan Phuong said there are measures to make Tay Ho one of the major tourist hubs in Hanoi.

"We are finalizing a proposal to recognize Tay Ho lotus tea as a national intangible heritage," she said.

"The district also plans to expand the lotus cultivation area to 25 hectares and welcome visitors at any time of the year," Lan said, continuing, "A new center for showcasing OCOP products is now open to the public. This promises to be a tourist attraction. We are also developing night tours and culinary services for visitors."

The vice chairwoman said many investors have been lured to Tay Ho District by its natural features to build hotels and restaurants.

Visitors at Kim Lien Pagoda, Tay Ho District. Photo: Hoai Nam/The Hanoi Times

Tay Ho District, home to the 526-hectare West Lake, boasts beautiful natural landscapes and many traditional craft villages. The district features 71 nationally and city-recognized historical and cultural relics, such as Tran Quoc Pagoda, Kim Lien Pagoda, and Tay Ho Palace, making it a key destination in Hanoi tours.

Tay Ho is also famous for its flower villages, including West Lake Flower Valley and West Lake Creative Cultural Space, which offer vibrant night tourism activities. The district is home to premium entertainment, culinary, shopping and 5-star accommodation facilities such as West Lake Water Park and Lotte Shopping Center.

Tay Ho's cultural recognition has grown, combining tourism with cultural preservation. The district has launched projects such as Trinh Cong Son Walking Street, Quang An Lotus Tea, and Nhat Tan Peach Blossom Craft Village to promote its cultural and historical assets. Working with the Hanoi Department of Tourism and local businesses, the district aims to develop spiritual tourism and visits to traditional handicraft villages.

There are 126 accommodation facilities with 5,157 rooms in Tay Ho District and new luxury hotel projects are underway. The West Lake area will host various water-based and cultural activities, including tourist boats, kayaking, windsurfing, diving, art performances, hot air ballooning and paragliding. These represent a significant opportunity for Tay Ho to diversify its service offerings and enhance its tourism appeal.

Since July 12, the first Hanoi Lotus Festival has been held in Tay Ho District. The festival will run until July 16, with numerous activities to honor the lotus flower, which is considered the signature flower of Vietnam and represents purity, resilience, and elegance in Vietnamese culture.