Lang Son is building a sustainable tourism future

Ethnic Travel - From majestic limestone mountain ranges and lush green valleys to tranquil stilt houses, Lang Son is gradually shaping a new tourism landscape - where nature, local culture, and community livelihoods combine to create an irresistible attraction. 

Beyond familiar landmarks like Mau Son, Bac Son, Dong Kinh Market, and vibrant festivals, this border region also boasts a unique system of geological, ecological, and cultural landscapes. The recognition of Lang Son Geopark as a UNESCO Global Geopark will be a highlight in Lang Son's efforts to attract more tourists. This international designation acknowledges the outstanding geological, landscape, ecological, and cultural values of Lang Son, while also opening up opportunities for the locality to develop tourism in a more sustainable direction.

According to the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Lang Son province, to promote and attract tourists to the local geopark, the province will develop and propose the issuance of a set of criteria for model communes, wards, villages, hamlets, and neighborhoods with innovative, effective, and comprehensive approaches in preserving, restoring, and promoting the value of the UNESCO Lang Son Global Geopark, and will pilot several models; continue to focus on improving the quality of activities at 38 tourist attractions on 4 tourist routes of the UNESCO Lang Son Global Geopark. In addition, Lang Son province will implement the following projects: Developing a Geopark Tourist Attraction Handbook; Upgrading the Website for the UNESCO Lang Son Global Geopark; Designing and producing souvenirs and uniforms for the UNESCO Lang Son Global Geopark; Forming and operating a GeoKids space…

Leaving the bustling streets, the journey to Huu Lien takes visitors to a completely different landscape: limestone mountains surrounding green valleys, fields stretching at the foot of the mountains, streams winding through villages, and stilt houses nestled peacefully amidst the lush greenery.

Huu Lien is located in an area with high biodiversity and karst landscape value, and is part of the UNESCO Lang Son Global Geopark. The system of limestone mountains, forests, caves, underground streams, and seasonally flooded lakes creates a unique ecological space.

But what makes Huu Lien different is not just its scenery. It's also about how the local people are transforming the inherent values of their homeland into tourism products. Visitors can stay in traditional stilt houses, enjoy local cuisine, explore the villages on foot, cycle through the valleys, kayak on the water, camp amidst nature, or simply sit on the porch, listen to the wind, and chat with the locals. If Huu Lien is a harmonious blend of nature and community culture, then the Dong Lam grassland is one of the highlights that creates the brand of this land.

Not far from the commune center, Dong Lam unfolds before visitors a vast space with green grassy slopes, surrounding limestone mountains, and a winding stream. At times, herds of horses graze peacefully on the grassland, creating a scene typical of the mountainous region.

What's fascinating about Dong Lam is its ever-changing landscape. During the dry season, the lush green meadows at the foot of the mountains expand, perfect for picnics, trekking, photography, horseback riding, and camping. When the rainy season arrives, the rising water creates vast flooded areas, transforming Dong Lam into a unique and picturesque landscape. This seasonal change is what gives Dong Lam its special charm: each return is a different experience.

While Dong Lam boasts a expansive beauty, the Nong Dung lake area offers a more tranquil atmosphere. A kayak, a paddle, and calm water amidst the mountains and forests - sometimes, that's all you need for an afternoon. There are no engine noises, no crowds of mass-market tourist spots; only the sound of paddles, the wind, and the reflection of the mountains. Experiential activities such as kayaking, camping, trekking, and nature exploration are enriching Huu Lien's tourism offerings. This is also a direction aligned with the trends of ecotourism and community-based tourism.

These figures show that tourism is no longer solely the responsibility of businesses or government agencies. A stilt house can become a homestay; a family meal can become a culinary experience; a story about a traditional craft can become a cultural product; a local person knowledgeable about mountain roads can become a local guide. When people directly participate in and benefit from tourism, protecting the landscape, preserving culture, and improving service quality also become intrinsic needs of the community. This is the crucial foundation of sustainable tourism. For Lang Son, the growth figures for 2026 show that the market is expanding. For Huu Lien, new steps in infrastructure, products, and community tourism are laying the groundwork for a new phase of development.

From the center of Lang Son to Mau Son, through Bac Son and then to Huu Lien, the journey to explore Lang Son today is no longer just a sightseeing trip. It is a journey to discover geology, ecology, culture, and community, where every mountain, stream, stilt house, and local meal contributes a story to the new tourism landscape of the Northeast region.

Source: https://ethnictravelvietnam.com/blog/discover-rich-geological-and-cultural-landscapes-of-lang-son/