Tourism combined with exploring nature and various sports events such as mountain climbing, running, fishing, cycling, paragliding, etc. has become one of the strategies to enhance the image of destinations, thereby creating differentiation for tourism products.

In the emerging development trend, sports-related tourism has significant potential for growth. In fact, this type of tourism is providing destinations with significant opportunities. Seizing the opportunity, especially during the prime time to attract tourists, Hoa Binh province has shown interest and invested significantly, integrating sports into tourism as one of the driving forces to attract visitors.

Currently, tourism to a new region is not just about experiencing cuisine and culture but also involves exploring nature and participating in sports events such as mountain climbing, running, fishing, cycling, paragliding, etc. This trend creates uniqueness and holds significant economic importance for the Culture, Sports, and Tourism sector, event organizing entities, as well as related benefits for the local community such as the development of infrastructure, cultural exchange, and attracting tourists.

The athletes participating in the National Road Cycling Championship 2023

In 2023, the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Hoa Binh province organized several provincial and national-level sports events, notable among them are: Home matches in the National First Division Football Championship - Sao Vang Beer Cup; National Championship for Mountain and Road Cycling; Short-distance Mountain Biking Cup of Vietnam Cycling and Motor Sport Federation (round 1 and 4); Hoa Binh Province Cycling Cup, the second edition competing for Vietnam-France Cup; and the Fishing Tournament at Hoa Binh Lake. These national-level sports competitions attracted the attention of athletes, fans, and families to Hoa Binh province, serving as an opportunity to promote the image of tourism in Hoa Binh to domestic and international friends.

At present, sports tourism is considered one of the strategies to enhance the image of destinations, thereby creating differentiation for tourism products. The strength of sports tourism lies in being unrestricted by any factor, and its market targets all demographics. Therefore, this form of tourism not only provides a new experience for tourists, enhancing the quality of the trip, but also increases the brand recognition of the province's tourism.

Additionally, through major sports events, localities can focus resources on ensuring the quality of tourism services, promoting publicity, thereby creating a significant leverage for tourism development and economic growth. With the advantage of cultural identity, natural landscapes, and Hoa Binh Hydroelectric Power Plant, more and more large-scale sports events are being attracted nationally.

Anglers participating in the fishing tournament at Hoa Binh Lake

In alignment with the trend of sports tourism, in 2023, Hoa Binh province successfully organized 17 provincial and expanded sports events, six national sports tournaments, and competed in 28 high-achieving sports events, winning 26 gold medals, 29 silver medals, and 52 bronze medals. The Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Hoa Binh province has focused on developing infrastructure, sports facilities, and investing in equipment to meet the training and competition needs of high-performance sports. Special attention was given to investing in a mountain biking track to host national and international mountain biking competitions. Social sports organizations and private sports facilities were given conditions to establish and develop.

In the current trend, organizing major sports events will create positive effects in promoting the destination and stimulating tourism demand. This is also an effective way for tourists to learn about tourism in Hoa Binh through sports events. The Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Hoa Binh province continues to accompany, support, and create the best conditions for the successful organization of sports events in the province, contributing to promoting economic and social development as well as showcasing the image of tourism in Hoa Binh to domestic and international friends.