One more commune (Muong Hoa commune, Sa Pa town) has met new rural standards, bringing the total number of communes meeting the standards to 63/127 communes, accounting for 49.6%.
In villages and hamlets, the replication of the new rural model has also achieved positive results with 252 villages meeting new rural standards and 204 model villages. These figures demonstrate the great efforts in building and maintaining the quality of life of rural people.
Bright spot in rural tourism development
In recent times, Lao Cai tourism has improved its effectiveness through domestic and international tourism development cooperation and linkage activities, such as the economic corridor cooperation program of 5 provinces and cities of Lao Cai, Hanoi, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh and Yunnan (China); the tourism development cooperation program of 8 expanded Northwestern provinces and Ho Chi Minh City; the cooperation program with the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region (Republic of France). Besides, Lao Cai is implementing many new tourism products including the project to build a typical tourist destination in Nam Ria village, Hop Thanh commune, Lao Cai city; Seng Sui village, Lung Than commune, Sima Cai district; La Di Thang village, Ta Van Chu commune, Bac Ha district, and the restoration and embellishment of Hoang A Tuong palace, Bac Ha district.

Foreign tourists visiting villages in Sa Pa.

The rural tourism development program has created new progress to Lao Cai province. Currently, there are 457 homestay establishments in the province, mainly concentrated in famous tourist destinations, namely Sa Pa, Bac Ha, Bat Xat and Bao Yen. Ta Van commune, Sa Pa town is famous as a community tourism village that attracts a large number of tourists, especially foreign visitors. Many homestay businesses are gradually developing into farmstay models, taking advantage of available agricultural production areas to provide guests with unforgettable experiences. Y Ty (Bat Xat) and Nghia Do (Bao Yen) are also attractive destinations for domestic and international tourists. The homestay and farmstay tourism model is creating dual benefits, not only helping to preserve the traditional culture of indigenous people but also bringing in significant income, contributing to improving the lives of rural people and developing a sustainable environment.

Homestay model in Muong Hoa commune, Sa Pa town.

In the first 9 months of the year, the total number of tourists to Lao Cai increased sharply. The total number of visitors to Lao Cai reached over 6.3 million, equal to 74% of the plan, increased 4.59% over the same period. Total revenue from tourists reached about 20,950 billion VND, equal to 77% of the plan, increased 12.86% over the same period.
OCOP enhances the value of local products
Lao Cai has mobilized resources to implement the Project "One Commune One Product of Lao Cai Province for the period of 2018 - 2020, with a vision to 2030" and the Program "One Commune One Product (OCOP) for the period of 2022 - 2025 of Lao Cai Province". The province focuses on prioritizing the development of specialty products and traditional products associated with the advantages of local production conditions and culture, especially products of craft villages, traditional occupations, and rural tourism services. The goal is to have at least 240 products recognized as achieving 3 stars or more by 2025.
As of September 2024, Lao Cai had 205 products with 3 stars or more, of which 10 products had 4 stars and 195 products had 3 stars. These products have been widely promoted through trade events and fairs, not only in the province but also in many other localities such as Ho Chi Minh City and Quang Ninh, helping to increase value and expand the consumption market.
In districts, towns and cities, there are 08 centers/sites introducing and selling OCOP products. 86% of OCOP entities participate in modern sales channels; 98% of OCOP products are put on e-commerce platforms, being created digital booths and possess electronic payment accounts. OCOP products have helped increase the value of local agricultural products while expanding the market through promotional and commercial events across the country.
Race against time
Despite many positive results, Lao Cai province still faces many challenges in implementing the goals of building new rural areas in the last 3 months of the year. In particular, the progress of completing new rural criteria is still slow, with difficulties in maintaining the standard criteria in many communes. Currently, only 10/63 communes have maintained all 19/19 criteria.
One of the province's key tasks is to accelerate the disbursement of capital, as by September 30, 2024, only 39.03% of central capital directly supporting the program had been disbursed. Besides, completing infrastructure criteria such as transportation and schools still faces many difficulties, requiring high concentration in the final stage of the year.
The movement "Joining hands to build new rural areas" is one of the important tools for Lao Cai to promote localities to quickly complete the set goals. In the first 9 months of the year, nearly 144,000 working days and more than 100,900 m² of land were donated by people to build infrastructure works. This is a testament to the solidarity and unanimity of the entire people in implementing the national target program on building new rural areas in the locality.
The results achieved in the first 9 months of the year have shown that Lao Cai is on the right track in the new rural construction. However, to complete the 2024 target, the province needs to focus on solving the remaining challenges, especially maintaining the standard criteria and speeding up capital disbursement. Overall, the solidarity of the people, combined with the close leadership of the authorities at all levels, will be a strong driving force to help Lao Cai overcome difficulties to reach the finish line in new rural construction in 2024./.