In 2023, the tourism sector of Hoa Binh province received the attention and leadership of the Provincial Party Committee, People's Council, and Provincial People's Committee, successfully implementing state management tasks related to tourism, organizing tourism activities, and attracting investment in tourism infrastructure, thereby contributing to the socio-economic development of the province, achieving and surpassing the tourism development targets set for 2023.

Muong Khai Ha Festival in 2023 was an event that attracted tourists

In 2023, Hoa Binh welcomed over 3.95 million tourists, reaching 126.4% compared to the same period last year and achieving 113% of the annual plan. Specifically, international visitors numbered 450,266, achieving 327.3% compared to the same period last year and reaching 100.1% of the annual plan; while domestic tourists reached 3,504,560, achieving 117.2% compared to the same period last year and reaching 114.9% of the annual plan. The total revenue from tourism reached 4,016 billion VND, achieving 111.1% compared to the same period last year and reaching 103% of the annual plan. It can be said that tourism in Hoa Binh has fully recovered and experienced significant growth.

Over the past year, many tourism promotion and demand-stimulating events have been organized at the provincial and local levels, such as in Mai Chau, Kim Boi, Luong Son, Tan Lac, and Hoa Binh City. These events include festivals such as Muong Ethnic Khai Ha Festival in Hoa Binh province, River Fish and Prawn Festival in Da River, Xen Ban and Xen Muong festivals, Community Tourism Village Festival in Northwest provinces, Highland Market in Mai Chau, Cultural and Sports Promotion Day in Da Bac, Cultural, Sports, and Tourism Day in highland villages of Tan Lac, and Muong Bich Tru Village Festival in Hoa Binh City, all of which have attracted a large number of visitors for sightseeing and experiences.

The weekend pedestrian street in Hoa Binh City has attracted tourists

The dissemination work to raise awareness of state-managed tourism development has been intensified and enhanced. Tourism infrastructure and technical facilities are gradually being invested in and upgraded. In 2023, the Department of Planning and Investment advised the Provincial People's Committee to issue a decision allocating the public investment capital for the period 2021-2025, with the province allocating 352.6 billion VND for tourism infrastructure projects. In 2023, 39.5 billion VND was allocated. Many important and focal projects have been allocated public investment capital, such as: The small project for the construction and upgrading of tourism infrastructure at Tien pagoda relic site in Phu Lao commune, Lac Thuy district, Hoa Binh province, with an investment of 15 billion VND; The project for restoration and elevation of revolutionary historical sites, political training grounds, and the preparatory session for the 2nd  National Congress of Lao People's Party in Hoa Binh, with an investment of 4,5 billion VND; The project for constructing a conservation space for Mo Muong cultural heritage attached to tourism services in Hop Phong commune, Cao Phong district, with an investment of 20 billion VND.

Currently, Hoa Binh province has two projects utilizing ODA funds borrowed from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which is the small project "Construction and upgrading of tourism infrastructure at the Historic Site of Tien pagoda, Phu Lao commune, Lac Thuy district, Hoa Binh province" and the project "Tourism infrastructure development in Hoa Binh province." In 2023, Hoa Binh province commenced two major projects, known as the Ngoi Hoa ecotourism area project (located in Hoa Binh Lake tourism area), undertaken by Hoang Son Energy Investment Construction Joint Stock Company, with a total registered investment capital of over 474 billion VND; and Huong Binh cable car line project in Lac Thuy district, with a total investment of 1,700 billion VND, led by the Pacific Group.

Market development and improvement of tourism product quality are receiving significant attention. The Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism effectively implemented the Plan for collaborative tourism development among eight Northwestern provinces and Ho Chi Minh City in 2023. This includes participation in exhibitions and promotion at the 19th Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Fair in 2023; Introduction and promotion of Hoa Binh Lake tourism area at the Northwest Cultural and Tourism Week event in Can Tho City; Cultural and Tourism Week in the Ancestral Land 2023 in Phu Tho province; Participation in the introduction of Culture and Tourism of Northwestern provinces in Ho Chi Minh City in 2023. Districts such as Da Bac, Mai Chau, and Tan Lac continue to invest in improving tourism products around Hoa Binh Lake, gradually introducing trekking, cycling, boating routes, etc. Key districts for spiritual tourism (Lac Thuy, Cao Phong, Tan Lac, Da Bac) have restored and well-maintained activities at cultural and religious sites.

  Mandala Retreats Kim Boi is a new destination that many tourists favor

The provincial tourism steering committee has instructed the Tourism Association to mobilize enterprises to enhance investment cooperation in building potential tourism products, with many newly standardized accommodation facilities being put into operation, such as Mandala Retreat (Kim Boi district); Luong Son Retreat (Luong Son district); Thung May Homestay, Nha Tim Homestay (Cao Phong district); Cuc Thao Valley (Hoa Binh city); Mai Da Lodge, Xoan Retreat (Da Bac district). Particularly, Hoa Binh city has conducted a trial and inaugurated a weekend pedestrian street since October 2023, creating a new tourism product that attracts tourists.

Training and development of tourism human resources are supported by state management agencies and tourism business units, proactively pushing for quality improvement.

 The promotion and stimulation of tourism demand are intensified through organizing events and promotions across various media channels, resulting in the expansion of partnerships and cooperation in tourism development with provinces nationwide, particularly leveraging the effectiveness of the Expanded Tourism Development Cooperation Program among eight Northwestern provinces and Ho Chi Minh City. Tourism in Hoa Binh has contributed to economic restructuring, job creation, increased budget revenue, and improved local residents' incomes. 

Forecasts for 2024 indicate continued growth in Hoa Binh tourism with numerous cultural, sports, and tourism activities planned throughout the province. According to the plan, the province aims to welcome 4.2 million visitors in 2024, including 500,000 international visitors, generating tourism revenue of 4,600 billion VND.