The conference was attended by Mrs. Ha Nhat Le, Member of the Provincial Party Committee and Vice Chairperson of the Provincial People’s Committee; Mr. Nguyen Quoc Trung, Member of the Provincial Party Committee and Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism; representatives and officials from provincial departments, agencies and sectors; representatives of commune and ward authorities; professional associations and organizations; tourism service businesses operating in the province; and members of the Non nuoc Cao Bang Geopark Partner Network.

The conference comprehensively reviewed the achievements of Cao Bang’s tourism sector in 2025, identified existing challenges and constraints, and outlined orientations, objectives, tasks, and solutions for tourism development and the Non nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark in 2026.

In 2025, Cao Bang’s tourism industry recorded a strong recovery and remarkable growth. The province welcomed an estimated 2.57 million visitors, representing a 40.1% increase compared to the previous year. International arrivals exceeded 113,500, up by 135.5%. Total tourism revenue was estimated at VND 2,549 billion, an increase of 74.1%.

These achievements resulted from the effective implementation of tourism stimulus measures, promotional campaigns, and tourism development partnerships. Communication activities on digital platforms were strengthened, while regional cooperation and connectivity with major tourism centers continued to expand. Digital transformation remained a priority, marked by the launch of the “CaoBang Tourism” smart tourism application, accelerated digitization of tourism data, integration of QR codes into tourism publications, and pilot implementation of VR360 virtual reality technology at selected tourist destinations. These initiatives enhanced visitor experiences while improving tourism management and destination marketing.

Efforts to strengthen and promote the Non nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark designation were also implemented effectively, achieving notable results. Preparations for the second revalidation process were carried out thoroughly, ensuring both quality and timely completion.

On 27 April 2026 (Vietnam time), at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France, the Non nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark officially received its revalidation certificate following the successful completion of its second revalidation process, reaffirming the province’s long-standing commitment to conserving and promoting heritage values.

Consultation and support activities aimed at sustainable tourism development at heritage sites and traditional craft villages within the geopark area were effectively implemented, contributing to the preservation of traditional cultural values, livelihood creation, and income generation for local communities.

Geopark education in schools continued through the “Geopark Ambassador” Club model, helping to raise awareness among younger generations and foster a sense of responsibility for heritage conservation and the preservation of local cultural identity.

Tourism infrastructure and facilities along the geopark’s experiential tourism routes received continued investment, upgrading, and gradual improvement. In addition, the Non nuoc Cao Bang Geopark actively participated in activities of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network and strengthened international cooperation and experience-sharing in heritage management, conservation, and promotion.

In recognition of its outstanding achievements in integrating heritage conservation with sustainable tourism development, the Non nuoc Cao Bang Geopark was honored with the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network Award for “Effective Geopark Management Model.” This distinction further enhances Cao Bang’s profile on the international tourism map and provides momentum for the province to continue maximizing the value of its UNESCO designation.

During the conference, delegates delivered practical presentations and engaged in discussions on solutions to improve management effectiveness, develop tourism products, and strengthen cooperation within the tourism sector. Key topics included the application of smart tourism platforms for destination promotion, enhancing communication effectiveness, strengthening the role of the Provincial Tourism Association in connecting businesses and building tourism value chains, diversifying tourism products, and developing sustainable tourism models associated with environmental conservation and the preservation of local cultural identity.

In her remarks, Mrs. Ha Nhat Le, Member of the Provincial Party Committee and Vice Chairperson of the Provincial People’s Committee, acknowledged the efforts of the tourism sector over the past year and highly appreciated the constructive and responsible contributions of the business community.

She requested relevant departments, sectors, and local authorities to focus on addressing identified bottlenecks, including infrastructure limitations, environmental concerns, and service quality issues, while accelerating digital transformation and promoting green and sustainable tourism development.

She emphasized the importance of tourism development linked to the conservation and promotion of the Non nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark as a distinctive international brand. Relevant agencies were instructed to strengthen investment promotion, develop synchronized tourism infrastructure, review and adjust tourism planning, particularly for nationally significant heritage sites and key tourism areas, and ensure connectivity among destinations to create integrated tourism routes and clusters capable of extending visitors’ length of stay.

Furthermore, tourism promotion activities should be modernized and professionalized, focusing on highly recognizable signature tourism products, increasing the use of digital platforms, and integrating tourism promotion into cultural and artistic events in major urban centers.

Human resource development was also highlighted as a priority, particularly for tour guides. This includes assessing workforce needs, organizing appropriate training programs, enhancing practical skills and professional knowledge, and strengthening cooperation with educational institutions to develop a qualified local tourism workforce.

On this occasion, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism officially launched the “Beautiful Cao Bang Landscapes” Photo Contest 2026, aimed at honoring the natural beauty, cultural heritage, and people of Cao Bang while promoting the province’s tourism image.

According to the competition regulations, submitted photographs must have been taken between September 2025 and August 2026. Each participant may submit up to ten entries, including either single photographs or photo series. Entries will be accepted from the launch date until 31 August 2026, with the award ceremony expected to take place in October 2026.

The competition includes one First Prize, two Second Prizes, three Third Prizes, and five Consolation Prizes. Beyond providing a creative platform for photographers, the contest is expected to contribute valuable visual resources to support tourism promotion and smart tourism development initiatives.

As part of the conference program, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism also presented certificates of merit to five organizations and five individuals in recognition of their outstanding contributions to tourism development in 2025.