Following the merger, Thai Nguyen tourism has substantial growth potential as the geographic scope of its tourism offerings has expanded, its resources have become more diverse, and visitors increasingly seek varied experiences. Turning this potential into actual products, however, will require strong impetus in terms of funding, infrastructure, workforce development, and organization.
Tea-growing area experiences, one of Thai Nguyen's advantages for developing tourism products linked to local culture and specialties
At the Sixth Session of the 15th Thai Nguyen Province People's Council, the Council adopted Resolution No. 76/2026/NQ-HDND prescribing several policies to support tourism development in the province for the 2026-2030 period. Notably, the policy not only provides additional resources for the tourism sector, but also takes a relatively comprehensive approach focused on the factors that directly determine product quality and the competitiveness of destinations.
According to Comrade Nguyen Tung Lam, Head of the Tourism Management Division under the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Thai Nguyen tourism continues to face limitations in infrastructure, facilities, products, service quality, and human resources, while promotion and marketing have not matched the province's potential and advantages. The new support policy is therefore expected to provide additional resources for localities, businesses, cooperatives, and residents to invest and gradually remove the bottlenecks hindering development.
Where tourism development was previously viewed mainly through the lens of attracting large projects, building destinations, and completing infrastructure, the new policy marks a notable shift by extending support to those who directly create tourism products. It focuses on resolving difficulties involving capital, infrastructure, human resources, marketing, and promotion. In particular, the mechanism subsidizes 50% to 90% of loan interest, with maximum loans of VND 1.5 billion for households and VND 2.5 billion for organizations and household businesses investing in tourist attractions. For small and medium-sized establishments, this is not only financial assistance but also encouragement to move from fragmented, small-scale operations toward more systematic investment, improve service quality, and generate greater value from existing resources.
Tien Yen Cooperative in Hong Thai Hamlet, Tan Cuong Commune, a community-based tourism destination in Thai Nguyen
Bui Trong Dai, Director of Tien Yen Cooperative in Tan Cuong Commune, said: "Previously, limited resources meant that investment had to proceed step by step. The province's new policy gives us more opportunities to invest with greater confidence and professionalism, improve service quality, and offer visitors better experiences. If we can access this support, we will prioritize investment in facilities, accommodation services, experience spaces, and additional products linked to local culture and specialties".
Dinh Thi Huyen, a member of Tien Yen Cooperative, said: "We are delighted because this support policy will give local people better conditions for developing tourism, creating jobs, and increasing their income. We also hope to attend training courses on tourism operations and on serving and communicating with visitors. With more knowledge and skills, we will be more confident".
In practice, alongside comprehensive planning and development orientations, direct support for tourism operators is highly practical. Developing a destination into a complete tourism product does not necessarily require a large investment project at the outset. It may begin with renovating a traditional house to receive guests, fitting out a guest room, investing in equipment for visitor activities, creating a space to showcase local specialties, or upgrading a product long associated with community life.
Resolution No. 76/2026/NQ-HDND has also been highly regarded by experts for its attention to improving human resource quality through support for tourism training and professional development. Tourism investment is not limited to facilities; service quality and people ultimately determine the visitor experience.
Dr. Dao Phuong Thuy, a lecturer in the Faculty of Tourism at Thai Nguyen University of Sciences, said that quality and continual renewal remain essential to tourism development, helping avoid a situation in which "a hundred flowers bloom but lack distinctive fragrance and color". Each locality must clearly identify what makes it distinctive, which values can be best developed, and how those values can be transformed into products with stories of their own.
With practical support policies, Resolution No. 76/2026/NQ-HDND will create more opportunities for residents, businesses, and tourism operators to invest confidently and improve product and service quality. The immediate priority is to put the policy into practice swiftly, transforming each support resource into new products, better services, and more sustainable livelihoods. This will lay the foundation for Thai Nguyen tourism to develop professionally and sustainably and gradually affirm its position on Vietnam's tourism map.