Lao Cai authorities receive the decision from the Prime Minister to recognise Sa Pa district as a national tourist area at the closing ceremony for the National Tourism Year 2017.

As the hosting locality for the nation’s largest tourism event this year, Lao Cai has focused on promoting tourism, building new tourism products and organising related events under the programme. There have been 11 major activities held in 2017; Lao Cai province has welcomed about 3.5 million visitors, up 28% with turnover reaching nearly VND10 trillion, up 49% from 2016.
At the closing ceremony, Politburo member cum Head of the Northwestern Steering Committee Nguyen Van Binh praised the efforts of the tourism industry and tourism business community, as well as the participation of local authorities, mass organisations and people in the region in contributing to the success of the 2017 National Tourism Year.
Under the theme of “Colours of the Northwest,” the event ended with impressive developments, bringing new image and appearance for tourism of Lao Cai and the Northwest provinces as well. In particular, it has linked tourism development with the preservation of ethnic cultures in the northwestern region, towards the satisfaction of tourists, creating a friendlier image of the Northwest people, Binh said, adding that the 2018 National Tourism Year hosted by Quang Ninh province would continue to bring new motivation and vitality for Vietnam’s tourism.
The closing ceremony featured a special art show, reflecting the connection among the three regions of the country and showing the rich potential of Lao Cai and the Northwest’s culture and tourism. Quang Ninh province also brought performances characteristics of the province from local artists.
Also at the ceremony, the People's Committee of Lao Cai province received the decision of the Prime Minister to recognise Sa Pa district as a national tourist area and upgrade Sa Pa into a town. Accordingly, Sa Pa is planned to expand its area and population size to develop in the direction of a tourist town of national and international scale.
The same day, Politburo member Binh attended the inauguration for Lung Po flagpost, built on the Vietnam-China border area where the Red River flows into Vietnam.
Covering an area of 84.43 m2, the Lung Po flag tower was built as an octagonal reinforced concrete pillar with a height of 42.51 m, a pillar of 31.43 m high and a flagpole with a height of 9.57 m, plus a flag with a width of 25 m2, featuring 25 ethnic minority groups in in Lao Cai province. The VND17 billion border flag post is located in the defence area managed by A Mu Sung Border Guard Station.