Vietnam advised to tap potential for sports tourism

October 22, 2019 | 09:10

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With its diverse terrain and favourable climate, Vietnam has the opportunity to organise sport events to attract more tourists to the country, experts have said.

vietnam advised to tap potential for sports tourism

At a paragliding festival in Yen Bai province (Photo: VNA)

Do Cam Tho, Deputy Director of the Department of Planning and Finance under the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), said at a recent seminar in Hanoi that the eastern and northwestern regions hold a lot of potential for sports tourism, especially adventure sports.

Adventure sports have already been held on northern mountain provinces such as Fansipan in Lao Cai province, Pu Ta Leng, Pu Si Lung and Bach Moc Luong in Lai Chau province and Ta Xua-Tram Tau in Son La province, which measure from 2,865 m to 3,143 m, the official added.

Tho suggested organising running and mountain bike racings in Ha Giang, Lai Chau, Yen Bai and Lao Cai, and parachuting in Hoa Binh, Son La, Yen Bai, Lao Cai and Ha Giang.

With a dense network of rivers, the Mekong Delta is suitable for boat races. Coastal localities could host beach sports like kite boarding, yacht racing, motor racing and scuba diving, he said.

Vietnam has invested in infrastructure to serve major sports events, with the most noteworthy being the Formula One (F1) Grand Prix 2020.

Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong, VNAT Deputy General Director, said sports tourism has become an important global trend, adding that it is growing twice as quickly as tourism in general.

She highlighted the Da Nang Declaration on promoting tourism and sports for sustainable development issued by the World Tourism Organisation at the International Conference on Tourism and Sports in 2016.

VNA

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