The 4.0 revolution turns digital transformation into an inevitable trend and the tourism industry is no exception. The method of approaching customers, trading and paying for travel services is gradually shifting to the digital environment instead of the traditional method as before. Many tourists after being "held up" have sought and experienced virtual reality 3D tours implemented by a number of organization units.

As the key tourist area, Sa Pa town actively applies digital transformation to develop the "smoke-free industry". Sa Pa has built and effectively operated applications and websites that provide information for visitors many years ago. Recently, the town put the Smart Monitoring and Administration Center into operation, including many items of technology application and digital transformation in the field of tourism. It is the surveillance camera system with smart speakers located at key locations in the landscape; digitize data of recognized tourist spots in the town; pilot application of 3D technology to provide virtual tourist information for tourist attractions managed by the town... The acceleration of tourism digitalization items of Sa Pa town is interested and welcomed by the tourists, which they have experienced right in the pilot period.

The complicated pandemic has made for many months now, Ms.Nguyen Thi Phuong (Hanoi) feels suffocated because she had to stay at home for too long. She looked to virtual reality websites to experience. Sharing via social networks with reporters, Ms. Phuong said: Currently, there are many websites that build 3D tourism models and virtual reality to help visitors satisfy their exploration needs. During the time when it is not possible to travel between provinces and cities, visitors can experience many places through mobile devices. Many websites are in the testing phase, not yet charged, but modern design, realistic and sharp images… “Through 3D platform, the link at website https://3d.vrtour.vn/tour/sapa /thi-xa-sapa.html, I can explore many areas of Sa Pa town after each click of the computer mouse. I am very pleased with this form of experience.”

Mr. Vuong Trinh Quoc, Chairman of People's Committee of Sa Pa Town said: In addition to the work that has been implemented, Sa Pa is implementing the digitization of tourism resources, in which initially bringing high-quality 3D images for tourists to easily learn as well as virtual experience before going to the actual tour. The locality is also coordinating with network operators to send tourist information messages when tourists start arriving in the town. However, for effective digitization, it is necessary to have the synchronous database foundation and the participation of all levels and sectors to help localities like Sa Pa be able to exploit.  

As well as Sapa town, Bac Ha district has coordinated with the Center for Rural Economic Development - CRED to build and develop the website https://www.bachatourism.com/, providing tourists to have an overview of local tourism resources before coming to experience and explore. With the sponsorship of Aus4Equality GREAT and beautiful documents and images provided by journalists, members of Bac Ha Tourism Club, District Information and Culture Department, partners, the background content of the Website which has been already built. Currently, Bac Ha district has been gradually completed and launched a test version, and at the same time, called for contributions of content and images from those who love the "white plateau" land to complete the website, contributing to the promotion and development of tourism, especially in the period affected by the current pandemic.

Together with localities, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism also continues to maintain the province's information pages, regularly update information and build 3D images of tourist attractions to create richness and authenticity for tourists when accessing information. Business establishments in the province have also stepped up advertising, indirectly approached customers, and promoted bookings through social networks, mobile applications and non-cash payments. It can be seen that the pandemic has made heavy impact on the tourism industry, but it is also an opportunity for the industry to accelerate the progress of digital transformation.

Mr. Ha Van Thang, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism affirmed: Lao Cai province determines that digital transformation and building smart tourism products will contribute to creating motivation for tourism development in the coming period. In addition to the active participation of the industry and localities, we expect businesses, units providing digital transformation platforms and business units, cooperatives, service business households to actively connect, contributing to speeding up the process of digital transformation, building smart tourism products in the area./.