Ha Giang, the northernmost province of Vietnam, has always attracted
tourists with its majestic landscapes and unique cultural identity, and is
now witnessing a tourism boom thanks to the impact of digital
transformation.
Images of the Dong Van Stone Plateau,
Ma Pi
Leng Pass, buckwheat flower season, and highland markets are being
widely disseminated digitally, from tourism portals to social media and
online booking platforms. Standardized information, professionally produced
images, and digital transformation are fundamentally changing how a highland
destination like Ha Giang connects with tourists.
Many homestay households in Dong Van, Meo Vac, and Yen Minh have learned to
use social media and booking platforms to proactively promote their
services, manage guest schedules, and interact directly with tourists.
Reducing reliance on intermediaries has helped increase the percentage of
revenue retained by the local people. Many households have reported more
stable income from tourism, especially during peak seasons.
Mr. Sinh Di Gai, the head of Lo Lo Chai village, is one of the pioneers of
community tourism in the village, starting his homestay business in 2011
when the concept of community tourism was still quite unfamiliar. Today, he
not only operates accommodation but also owns a TikTok channel with
approximately 5,600 followers.
In the digital space, he both introduces tourism services and tells the
story of Lo Lo culture, the rhythm of village life, and the highland
landscapes that embody the soul of Ha Giang. This approach not only benefits
his family but also contributes to promoting the overall image of Lo Lo Chai
and Ha Giang tourism.
Handicrafts and local specialties such as mint honey, brocade fabrics, corn
wine, and highland agricultural products, which are popular with many
tourists, are also being sold by people in Ha Giang on e-commerce platforms,
through social media, and via live streams directly to consumers.
Tourism, therefore, not only generates income from direct services but also
drives the development of traditional crafts and local production. The
economic value chain is expanded, enabling many households to participate in
the Ha Giang "tourism ecosystem" in different ways, according to their
conditions and capabilities.
Furthermore, digital transformation is also helping Ha Giang improve the
quality of the tourist experience. Digital maps, QR codes, and automated
audio guides at attractions such as the Vuong family mansion, Lung Cu
flagpole, and Ma Pi Leng pass help tourists access information flexibly and
in multiple languages, aligning with the trend of independent and
personalized tourism.
Instead of simply "seeing the scenery," tourists have the opportunity to
gain a deeper understanding of the history, culture, and stories behind each
destination. The experience is enriched in depth, thereby extending the
length of stay and increasing spending. This is a key factor in expanding
the potential for sustainable income generation for local people and
businesses in Ha Giang tourism.
Behind the development of digital tourism is the gradually improving
telecommunications infrastructure. Internet coverage, 4G, and the gradual
deployment of 5G in key tourist areas help people in mountainous regions
access technology, creating favorable conditions for the effective operation
of digital tourism business models. For tourists, stable telecommunications
infrastructure also contributes to enhancing the experience, from searching
for information and sharing itineraries to using digital services.
In many villages, smartphones have become a new "productivity tool," helping
people provide services, promote products, and connect with customers. This
is a structural change that contributes to shifting the rural economic
structure towards diversified livelihoods.
However, digital transformation also poses new demands. As the number of
visitors increases rapidly due to the ripple effect in the digital
environment, the pressure on infrastructure, the environment, and cultural
identity grows. The exploitation of cultural content on digital platforms
needs to be guided to avoid excessive commercialization.
In this context, digital transformation cannot be limited to technology
alone, but must be linked to smart tourism management. Data on visitor
numbers, travel patterns, and spending levels, if effectively utilized, will
help local authorities regulate development, allocate tourists seasonally
and along routes, ensuring a harmonious balance between economic benefits
and conservation.
The Party Committee of Ha Giang province stated that in the new phase, it
will promote the application of digital technology in tourism promotion and
advertising; digitize information on recognized tourist areas and
destinations, creating a digital database of tourist destinations, providing
accurate, multilingual, and highly interactive information; install QR code
systems at tourist sites to help tourists easily access information about
destinations; and pilot the construction of smart information lookup and
tour guide kiosks using robots and artificial intelligence (AI) to assist
tourists in searching for information and enhancing their experience.
Digital transformation is opening up a path for sustainable and inclusive
development for tourism in Ha Giang. There, economic benefits are closely
linked to preserving cultural identity, and tourism not only brings in a
stable flow of visitors but also creates long-term livelihoods, improves
income, and enhances the quality of life for people in this northernmost
region of Vietnam.
Ha Giang Tours - Travel
services in Ha Giang Vietnam are well-developed, with multiple reputable
operators offering bus tickets, guided tours, motorbike rentals, and
accommodations tailored to both domestic and international travelers. The
region is especially known for the "Ha Giang Loop" a scenic motorbike
journey through mountains and ethnic minority villages, supported by
professional tour companies and rental services.
