Sa Pa targets to embody ideal for eco-friendly and intelligent tourism
In a bid to establish itself as a model for green, sustainable, and smart tourism, Sa Pa ward in Lao Cai Province has set ambitious goals for the next decade. The ward aims to become a green, smart tourism city, playing a central role in the Sa Pa National Tourism Area and attracting international visitors.
At the ward's first Party Congress for the 2025-2030 term, held on August 11, Deputy Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Lao Cai People's Committee, Nguyen Huy Tuatan, emphasised the importance of sustainable and smart tourism development. This development must be in harmony with the preservation and promotion of traditional cultural heritage and natural landscapes.
Sa Pa's strategies for achieving this transformation include sustainable tourism development, smart tourism and urban systems, promoting green tourism standards, and placing residents and businesses at the centre of services.
Sustainable tourism development in Sa Pa will focus on preserving traditional cultural heritage and natural landscapes, ensuring harmony between tourism growth and environmental protection. The ward aims to raise annual state budget revenue to 3.5 trillion VND (~US$133.3 million) and reduce the poverty rate to 2.8% by 2030.
Smart tourism and urban systems will include administrative reforms, e-administration, e-governance, and enhanced digital platforms. These will boost interaction between residents, businesses, and authorities, improving service quality and management efficiency. Sa Pa also plans to increase per capita income to 150 million VND and welcome 12.2 million visitors by 2030.
To promote green tourism standards, Sa Pa intends to adopt the VITA Green label, which certifies sustainable tourism businesses and supports green technology, sustainable management, and Vietnam’s net-zero emissions goals by 2050. The ward expects to leverage the VITA Green certification as part of the broader national program to boost Vietnam’s image as a global green destination, fostering international cooperation and integrating into the global sustainable tourism supply chain.
By combining these approaches, Sa Pa envisions a significant contribution to poverty reduction and community income growth. The ward aims to generate over 57 trillion VND in tourism and service revenues by 2030. Nguyen Huy Tuatan suggested placing residents and businesses at the centre of services and enhancing administration-citizen interactions through digital platforms.
In conclusion, Sa Pa's vision for the future is one of a green, smart, and sustainable tourism city that attracts international visitors while contributing to poverty reduction and community income growth. With its focus on sustainable tourism development, smart urban systems, and green tourism standards, Sa Pa is poised to become a leading example of sustainable tourism in Vietnam.
- To align with their vision, Sa Pa plans to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) in their smart tourism systems, enhancing efficiency and service quality.
- In line with the Sapa ward's focus on environmental-science, they aim to promote eco-friendly practices among businesses and residents, reducing their carbon footprint.
- As part of their lifestyle strategy, Sapa will prioritize the well-being of its residents, promoting work-life balance and community development.
- With war tourism gaining popularity worldwide, Sapa recognizes the potential of this niche market and aims to incorporate it in their sustainable tourism model, respecting local history and traditions.
