Efficiently exploiting the strengths of indigenous cultural resources, Sa Pa (Lao Cai) gradually asserted its No. 1 position in a cultural tourist spot in the country.

With the policy of making tourism rooted in indigenous culture, Sapa has long surpassed many localities in efficiency in exploiting tourism from culture, becoming the leading cultural tourism destination in North region.

In two consecutive years 2019 and 2020, Sun World Fansipan Legend resort in Sapa of Sun Group has been honored by the World Travel Awards with the title of “Top cultural tourist destination in the world”. What makes this resort honored, is because Sun World Fansipan Legend has quickly affirmed its position as a destination that successfully exploits indigenous cultural elements in Lao Cai in particular and the Northwest in general today.

At Sun World Fansipan Legend, culture has been turned into attractive tourist “specialties”. Coming to the resort at any time of the year, visitors will also be immersed in events and festivals bearing imprints of upland culture, from the art performances of the khene, special dance. Display of village boys and girls to traditional folk games such as throwing, stall dancing, and traditional customs of the ethnic people are re-enacted such as capturing wives, Dao weddings or upland markets with famous specialties of the Northwest region …

Not only festivals with traditional folk activities, Sun World Fansipan Legend also makes a strong impression with the art show “Dance on the Cloud” (2019), cleverly combining the quintessential materials of literature and Northwestern chemistry with magical spiritual elements.

For the past three years, the “Horseshoe in the Cloud” race held in the resort’s premises, with many unique side activities, has brought the audience an exciting Northwest cultural experience. 

It is no exaggeration to say that products and services bearing indigenous culture colors at Sun World Fansipan Legend have contributed to the differentiation and become an important factor attracting more and more tourists to “ this cloudy city. In 2019, the number of tourists coming to Sapa is more than 3.2 million, an increase of more than 2.2 million compared to 2015 – the time when there was no tourist area on the top of Fansipan, accounting for more than 60% of the total number of tourists in the province. 

Gradually shaping tourism culture for Sapa

Successfully exploiting the strengths of cultural tourism, but whether Sapa has built a culture for her tourism or not?

According to tourism experts, tourism culture is built, accumulated and creative in tourism activities by four subjects participating in tourism activities: tourists, tourism businesses, authorities at all levels. , and the community where tourism takes place. In order to develop sustainably and shape its own brand, a certain destination must pay attention to tourism culture.

In Vietnam, Da Nang seems to be the pioneer destination in creating a successful tourism culture. In addition to the quality and classy products and services, Da Nang also impresses domestic and foreign tourists by the quality of professional, civilized and the best travel services in the country thanks to the participation. drastic government, the support of the people and especially the investment of mind and reach of large tourism enterprises.

Compared to Da Nang, Sapa has a stronger advantage in rich and diverse cultural resources for tourism development. However, in order to create a private and successful tourism culture for Sapa, it cannot be done overnight.

Several years ago, many tourists were afraid to return to Sa Pa because of the scene of rowing and clinging to tourists. But since tourism is well invested, people have stable jobs in tourist areas such as Sun World Fansipan Legend, classy hotels like Hotel De la Coupole, Silk Path … All four sides surrounded by children, the elderly, and the street vendor women has been much reduced. Undeniably, the tourist resorts or hotels, with a lot of indigenous workers, have contributed to improving the lives of people here and gradually shaping a civilized tourism for Sapa.

For example, at Sun World Fansipan Legend, where up to 60% of ethnic minorities are working, civilized tourism is being established from building a hello culture for all employees, organizing Fansipan green days for staff members to clean up the environment around the resort, swing to scavenge around the top of Fansipan; build lost furniture so visitors can find forgotten items …

And the most important thing is that the indigenous cultural values of the Northwest have been preserved and promoted in a lively and attractive way, making them become the indispensable tourist “specialties” of Sapa.

“As a person who observes and loves Sapa very much, I think that in the process of forming a tourism culture, Sapa really needs to keep its cultural roots. It is priceless to see a Mongolian girl serving simple services such as carrying a cup of tea and smiling at tourists. I have also seen some places that have made their mark, like on Sun World Fansipan Legend for example. When the ethnic people smiled at me, I felt warm. Investor Sun Group was very fussy when bringing ethnic people there to work, wear uniforms but still smile Mong people ”, Dr. Trinh Le Anh – Vice Chairman of the Faculty of Tourism (Hanoi University of Social Sciences and Humanities) shares.

In order to have the position of a destination of international stature and a professional tourism culture, Sapa still has a lot to do. But with the initial successes in developing cultural tourism and building each “brick” for a tourism culture rich in identity, it is believed that Sa Pa’s successful destination is not far away.