Phu Tho: Vietnam’s New Rising Tourism Hub with Rich Culture and Scenic Landscapes

Published on December 1, 2025

Phu Tho, a northern Vietnam province, expanding its administrative borders, is developing a diverse tourism industry, building on its diverse cultural imprints and ecological resources aquired over the years. The provinces tourism industry is expanding with great determination and intent to become a core multi-faceted tourism industry player within the region.

In the past couple of years, and as a consequence of the diverse multi-dimensional tourism, the province has developed tourism infrastructure, leading to an influx of international tourists to Vietnam. In the first nine months of 2025, the province received about 3.65 million tourists and realized a revenue of about 480 million dollars from tourism and ancillary services. The statistics show that the province is on a growth trajectory in the tourism industry, and this growth is most likely to continue.

Strategic Development for a Diverse Tourism Ecosystem

Phu Tho’s tourism development strategy combines international promotion with local development opportunities, particularly in the wake of its merger with neighboring localities. The province now boasts a diverse array of historical and cultural relics, ethnic communities, natural landscapes, and modern hospitality infrastructure. These features have created the perfect conditions for a multi-faceted tourism offering that appeals to a wide range of travelers, from those seeking history and culture to those interested in eco-tourism and leisure.

According to Bui Xuan Truong, Deputy Director of the Phu Tho Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the province is focusing on creating a varied tourism product portfolio. “Our goal is to develop a dynamic and diversified product portfolio, combining high-end eco-resorts, multicultural experiences, and community interaction activities,” he said. This strategy includes offering visitors a wide range of experiences, from outdoor activities like kayaking on Hoa Binh Lake to fishing, enjoying local cuisine, and cultural exchanges at luxury resorts.

Phu Tho’s Vision for 2030: Ambitious Growth Goals

Looking towards the future, Phu Tho is aiming to become a major player in regional tourism. By 2030, the province plans to welcome 18.7 million visitors, including 7.3 million overnight stays and over one million international tourists, with projected tourism revenue of $960 million. Achieving these goals will require ongoing strategic investment, workforce development, and increased international promotion.

To achieve these targets, Phu Tho has already started actively participating in international tourism events. In July 2025, representatives from Phu Tho attended the KITS International Tourism Fair in South Korea, where they showcased a broad range of tourism offerings, including spiritual and eco-community tourism, resorts, and meetings and events services. These events are key opportunities for local businesses to connect with international partners and attract foreign tourists to the region.

Strengthening Regional Connectivity for Seamless Tourism Circuits

The recent expansion of Phu Tho’s administrative boundaries provides the province with an opportunity to strengthen its tourism offerings and create seamless regional circuits. By linking the region’s most important cultural and historical sites—such as the Hung Temple, Xoan Singing heritage, and traditional festivals—with neighboring eco-resorts and leisure areas, Phu Tho is enhancing its appeal to international visitors.

This regional connectivity is particularly important for large-scale events and meetings, allowing Phu Tho to cater to the growing MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) tourism segment. The integration of historical, cultural, and natural tourism with leisure and business tourism creates a comprehensive offering that appeals to a wide range of travelers.

Domestic Growth: Stimulating Tourism with Packages and Events

To further boost tourism, Phu Tho has implemented a range of domestic promotional activities, including special tourism packages, linked itineraries, and events like the 65th Vietnam Tourism Day celebrations. These initiatives are designed to encourage domestic travel and attract more tourists to the region. By offering a variety of travel options and promotional deals, the province hopes to increase both visitor numbers and spending in a short period.

Local businesses, including travel agencies, accommodations, and service providers, are also encouraged to develop new products and services to cater to the evolving demands of tourists. This collaboration between the public and private sectors is vital for fostering sustainable growth and ensuring that Phu Tho remains competitive as a tourism destination.

Training the Workforce for the Future of Tourism

As Phu Tho’s tourism industry grows, the province is investing heavily in human resource development to meet the increasing demand for skilled workers. Regular professional training courses for tour guides, hospitality staff, and management personnel are being conducted to raise service standards and ensure that the region is prepared to welcome international visitors. In November 2025, a training initiative held in Tam Dao focused on improving destination management, service quality, and international hospitality practices.

These efforts are part of Phu Tho’s broader commitment to delivering high-quality experiences for tourists, ensuring that the province can meet global standards and compete with other leading destinations in Asia.

Sustainable Tourism: Eco-Friendly Initiatives and Local Development

Sustainability is a key priority for Phu Tho’s tourism development strategy. The province is focusing on green tourism and eco-tourism offerings, leveraging its natural assets such as forests, lakes, hot springs, and traditional craft villages. Plans are in place to expand provincial and national tourist areas, integrating agriculture with tourism to create value chains that boost local incomes while preserving cultural and natural heritage.

The One Commune, One Product initiative is also being used to promote local products and traditional crafts, further enhancing the tourism experience while supporting local communities. By emphasizing sustainable practices and eco-friendly tourism, Phu Tho is ensuring that its tourism growth is both environmentally responsible and economically beneficial.

Digital Transformation: Promoting Phu Tho to Global Audiences

In addition to physical infrastructure, Phu Tho is investing in digital transformation as part of its tourism strategy. Initiatives like smart tourism applications, digital maps, multilingual audio guides, and public Wi-Fi are designed to improve the visitor experience and increase engagement. Collaborations with travel bloggers and video content creators are helping to promote Phu Tho on social media and other digital platforms, raising the province’s visibility among younger, international audiences.

By embracing digital tools, Phu Tho is able to reach a wider audience, encourage higher levels of engagement, and ultimately drive more bookings from both domestic and international tourists.

Phu Tho’s Bright Tourism Future

Phu Tho’s stunning nature and cultural heritage along with its infrastructural initiatives position it to become the next tourism centre in northern Vietnam. The province is establishing the parameters for sustainable tourism, digital marketing and interconnectedness. Phu Tho is evidently going to receive millions of tourists with diverse and cultural, natural, and recreational offerings in 2030.