A celebration of friendship.

Following the success of previously organized cultural and tourism activities such as the 2nd Vietnam-Laos Border Region Cultural, Sports and Tourism Exchange Festival in Son La province in 2017; the "Son La - Hua Phan Cultural and Tourism Festival" in Hua Phan province in 2018..., in late March 2024, Son La province, in coordination with Hua Phan province, will organize the "Son La - Hua Phan Cultural and Tourism Festival" in the beautiful town of Sam Neua with many unique tourism and cultural activities.

Leaders from Son La and Hua Phan provinces visited an exhibition of beautiful photographs as part of the "Son La - Hua Phan Cultural Tourism Festival" in 2024.

Ms. Hoang Ngan Hoan, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Son La province, said: The Son La - Hua Phan Cultural Tourism Festival is an important event aimed at promoting cultural diplomacy activities to introduce and promote the image of Son La's land and people, the unique cultural features of the ethnic groups in the province, and gradually enhance Son La's prestige and position with provinces and cities nationwide and internationally. The festival has contributed to expanding relations and cooperation with foreign localities, organizations and individuals, and international organizations, attracting investment, increasing the contribution of trade, tourism, and cultural industry development to the province's socio-economic development.

People from Hua Phan province learn about agricultural products from Son La province.

Lao Hung Friendship Park in Sam Neua town – the main venue for the 2024 Son La - Hua Phan Cultural Tourism Festival – is bustling with activity, showcasing the unique products of Son La and Hua Phan provinces. Adding to the vibrant atmosphere is the melody of the song "Vietnamese - Lao Brotherhood":You are in the West, I am in the East / Two countries hear the same rooster crowing at dawn / The land of Champa, the land of the Dragon and Fairy / Walking together to build a bond of love / The brotherly love between Vietnam and Laos, the brotherly love between Vietnam and Laos / Will never fade away".

Son La - Hua Phan Cultural Tourism Festival 2024.

Most impressive was the spectacular art program at the opening ceremony, themed "The Love Song of Son La - Hua Phan," performed by a collective of artists and actors from Son La and Hua Phan provinces. This performance left a deep impression on the people and tourists. The elaborately staged artistic performances celebrated the revolutionary traditions, the friendship, and the loyal and close ties between Son La and Hua Phan provinces in particular, and between Vietnam and Laos in general, in building and protecting their homelands. They also praised the unique traditions and cultural identities of the ethnic groups in both provinces, highlighting similarities and cultural and artistic exchanges; celebrating the beauty of the human spirit, love for their homeland; and the natural beauty, appearance, and the renewed development of both provinces and countries.

Ms. VanhPhone BunMyXay from Sam Neua town, Hua Phan province, shared: "The art program was meticulously designed and staged. The interwoven singing and dancing performances from Vietnam and Laos were very captivating, helping us to better understand the cultures of both Vietnam and Laos, as well as the two provinces of Son La and Hua Phan."

The art program "Love Song of Son La - Hua Phan" features performances by artists and actors from Son La and Hua Phan provinces.

Highly appreciating the activities of the festival, Comrade Kham Pheng Xay Som Pheng, Member of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, and Governor of Hua Phan Province, said: "The officials and people of Hua Phan Province are very happy that the Son La - Hua Phan Cultural Tourism Festival is being held for the second time in Sam Neua town. This is an opportunity for officials and people of the ethnic groups of the two provinces to exchange and learn from each other in various fields, contributing to strengthening the special friendship and solidarity between Vietnam and Laos in general, and Son La and Hua Phan in particular, forever green and enduring."

Representing the leadership of Son La province, Comrade Nguyen Huu Dong, Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and Secretary of the Son La Provincial Party Committee, affirmed: The Son La - Hua Phan Cultural Tourism Festival 2024 is an important political and cultural event, an opportunity to further strengthen and cultivate the special friendship and close ties between the people of Vietnam and Laos, and the two provinces of Son La and Hua Phan.

Exploiting potential and advantages

Son La and Hua Phan are two provinces with similar socio-economic conditions and cultures. They share a rich historical tradition, a special bond of solidarity and friendship, and each province possesses its own unique cultural characteristics and beautiful natural landscapes. These factors are crucial for the breakthrough and advancement of the "smoke-free" tourism industry in both provinces.

Conference on tourism development cooperation between Son La and Hua Phan provinces.

Considered a region with abundant natural, historical, and cultural tourism resources and potential for tourism development, Hua Phan currently boasts 158 tourist destinations, including 64 natural tourist sites, 30 cultural tourist sites, and 64 historical tourist sites.

Ms. Man Phenh Kha Ti Nha, Director of the Department of Information, Culture and Tourism of Hua Phan Province, informed: Along with its abundant natural resources, Hua Phan has many unique features in its cuisine, culture, and traditional festivals, notably the Lao Bounpimai New Year, the ethnic festivals of Vieng Xay district, the festival of viewing wild peach blossoms and cherry blossoms, the Keo Lak Meung festival, etc., which have created and continue to create an attractive tourist destination. According to statistics, in recent years, the number of visitors from Vietnam has consistently been among the top.

Tourism businesses from Son La and Hua Phan provinces and the Hanoi UNESCO Club have signed a memorandum of understanding for collaborative cooperation.

To strengthen cooperation, promote tourism products, and attract tourists, Son La province and Hua Phan province jointly organized the Son La - Hua Phan Tourism Development Conference 2024, with the participation of leaders from both provinces, organizations and businesses operating in the tourism sector in both provinces, and the Hanoi UNESCO Travel Club. At the conference, tourism businesses from Son La and Hua Phan provinces and the Hanoi UNESCO Travel Club signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in selling tourism products and forming a new Hanoi - Son La - Hua Phan tour. Many tourist destinations, resorts, restaurants, and hotels committed to offering discounts of 5-20% for groups traveling from Son La to Hua Phan and vice versa.

The Famtrip delegation surveyed and assessed the tourism route from Hanoi – Moc Chau (Son La) – Hua Phan, taking photos at the Cay Xon Phom Vi Han historical site in Vieng Xay district, Hua Phan province.

Mr. Nguyen Tuan Anh, Vice President of the Hanoi UNESCO Travel Club, assessed: Hua Phan is a new destination with many outstanding cultural features, pristine natural landscapes, and friendly people. After this survey trip, we will hold a meeting within the Club, and we plan to collaborate with Tien Phong Travel to form an alliance to develop the Hanoi - Moc Chau (Son La) - Sam Neua (Hua Phan) tourist route.

The Famtrip delegation visited the place where Comrade Cayson Phomvihan lived and worked during the resistance war.

Sharing his thoughts after participating in a survey and assessment trip to connect the Hanoi – Moc Chau (Son La) – Hua Phan tourist route organized by Son La province, Mr. Nguyen Trung Quan, Director of Avi Tour travel company, said: Moc Chau, with its beautiful natural landscape and fresh climate, is an ideal destination. Sam Neua, with its ancient charm, pristine natural scenery, and rich cultural and historical relics and local culture, will also offer tourists very interesting experiences. We are researching to develop a Hanoi – Moc Chau – Sam Neua tour, which is a promising tour with high potential for effective development in the future.

Promoting cooperation in tourism development.

Cooperation in economic, cultural, social, defense, and security development between Vietnam and Laos, and between Son La and Hua Phan, has continuously improved and achieved significant results. In particular, cultural exchange and tourism development have expanded. In the near future, the Long Sap and Pa Hang border gates will officially become international border gates; along with Moc Chau being recognized by the World Tourism Awards as a "Leading Regional Nature Destination" and designated as a National Tourist Area, this will be a driving force for Son La to strive to become a tourism center of the Northwest region of Vietnam. In 2023, Son La welcomed 4.65 million visitors, many of whom, according to surveys, wanted to experience and visit Son La - Hua Phan to learn about the culture and people of Hua Phan and immerse themselves in the Lam Vong dance of "The Beautiful Sam Neua Girl".

Sam Neua town center, Hua Phan province.

The 2024 Son La - Hua Phan Tourism Development Conference highlighted the spirit of cooperation and development between Vietnamese and Lao tourism businesses, with many practical, effective, and meaningful initiatives, especially the introduction of support and stimulus programs. Specifically, to strengthen tourism development cooperation, Son La and Hua Phan provinces agreed to continue coordinating and effectively implementing tourism and cultural development activities to affirm the position and role of tourism in both provinces on the Vietnam-Laos tourism map. State management agencies for tourism and related agencies of both provinces will create favorable conditions for tourism businesses, travel companies, organizations, and individuals providing tourism services in the process of implementing tourism development activities in both provinces in the coming time.

People from Hua Phan province are looking for information about tourism in Son La.

Mr. Nguyen Manh Hung, Vice Chairman of the Son La Provincial Tourism Association, said: The Association will strengthen links with domestic and Hua Phan province tourism and travel agencies and companies to develop new products and diversify experiences for tourists.

Following the 2024 Son La - Hua Phan Tourism Development Conference, tourism businesses and organizations have increasingly strengthened cooperation in exchanging information, developing tourism products and tourist markets; sharing experiences in tourism promotion and marketing, attracting tourism investment; and applying information technology in tourism development. They are coordinating the organization of communication, promotion, and tourism marketing programs; supporting travel agencies and tourism service businesses in linking and implementing tours between Son La and Hua Phan; and effectively exploiting and developing the tourist market, tourism products, and tourism service business activities.

Delegates and tourist groups pose for a commemorative photo at the Long Sap National Border Gate landmark. Photo: PV.

Following the 2024 Son La - Hua Phan Tourism Development Conference, a positive sign emerged recently at the Long Sap National Border Gate in Moc Chau district. The Son La and Thai Binh Provincial Tourism Associations recently inaugurated an international tourism route connecting Thai Binh, Moc Chau, and Sam Neua (Hua Phan province, Lao People's Democratic Republic). This tour promises to be very attractive to tourists and is expected to be effectively exploited in the future.

Vietnamese tourists visit the Lao National Historic Site in Vieng Xay district, Hua Phan province.

Comrade Trang Thi Xuan, Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee and Permanent Vice Chairman of the Son La Provincial People's Committee, affirmed: Organizing surveys and assessments of tourism products, developing new Hanoi - Son La - Hua Phan tour packages, and holding a tourism development cooperation conference aim to concretize cooperation activities in tourism development between Son La and Hua Phan, and create new tourism products to enhance the attractiveness of Son La - Hua Phan tourism. This will create opportunities for cooperation, propose solutions to stimulate demand, support tourism development between the two provinces, and facilitate the smooth flow of tourists between Vietnam and Laos, and between Son La and Hua Phan provinces, thereby promoting tourism development, increasing employment and income for people in both provinces, especially in ethnic minority and border areas.

Sam Neua town today.

With the determination and efforts of the Party committees, governments, and people of the two provinces, the potential for cooperation in all aspects will continue to be unlocked; in particular, cooperation in culture and tourism will be increasingly promoted and developed. Son La and Hua Phan will always be safe and attractive destinations for tourists from all over the world, so that the love song of Son La and Hua Phan will forever resonate.

Viet Anh - Duy Tung

Deepening the special friendship between Son La and Hua Phan: Part 2. A love song that will forever resonate (baosonla.org.vn)