That the province located on the main traffic route, being the gateway of the ASEAN region connecting with Western China, this advantage has opened up opportunities for Lao Cai to welcome a large number of tourists from China to travel to tourist destinations in Vietnam as well as other countries in the region. Additionally, the province also welcomes international visitors from other countries to Lao Cai and to the Southwest region of China. Moreover, Lao Cai has a pair of international border gates Lao Cai - Ha Khau, the only pair of border gates between Vietnam and China that converges with all types of transportation, including railway, roadway, waterway and airway in the future. From the above conditions, Lao Cai has proactively built a program to link provinces along the Kunming ‑ Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong corridor, which is the first international linking activity in the Northern region.

International tourists come to Sa Pa.

In 2019, the 6-destination 2-country tour is a continuation and further enhancement of international linkage activities along the Kunming - Lao Cai ‑ Hanoi - Hai Phong - Quang Ninh corridor. To establish the 6-destination 2-country tour to Kunming, Hong Ha (Yunnan, China) - Lao Cai, Hanoi, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh (Vietnam), Lao Cai is the locality that proactively held talks and signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Hong Ha district representative (Yunnan, China), proactively building a cooperation mechanism between localities and businesses on both sides. The 6-destination 2-country tour is considered a "golden" tour by the tourism service business community and media units because it connects key tourist destinations in Northern Vietnam with the large Chinese tourism market via roadway.

In the joint efforts to focus on developing tourism worthy of being the province's spearhead economic sector, international cooperation in tourism plays an important role in enhancing integration, expanding connectivity and promoting substantive cooperation. Multilateral and bilateral cooperation activities in culture, sports and tourism namely cooperation on the Kunming - Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong - Quang Ninh Economic Corridor, cooperation in the Joint Working Group between Vietnamese provinces bordering Yunnan Province (China), cooperation with Luang Prabang City - Laos, Chiang Mai - Thailand, especially cooperation with Yunnan Province (China) and the Nouvelle Aquitaine region (France) have created a diversification of international cooperation for tourism development.

Visiting the exhibition area, introducing Lao Cai tourism at the display, exhibition and tourism promotion area of Lao Cai province.

In addition to the key cooperation activities with Yunnan and the Nouvelle Aquitain region, Lao Cai has also been cooperating with many other localities, organizations and international projects to promote joint activities in tourism product development, cultural and tourism promotion, human resource training including Luang Phrabang (Laos), Brest province (Belarus), COIKA, UNESCO, JICA, GREAT project, etc. Lao Cai has also coordinated to organize foreign Cultural Days in Lao Cai such as Korean Cultural Day, Belarusian Cultural Day and the province regularly coordinates with the Embassy of India to organize programs to celebrate International Yoga Day.

In 2024, Lao Cai tourism industry has consulted and organized a series of events, promotion programs, famtrips, presstrips, and participated in international tourism fairs to connect and cooperate in developing international tourism, including: The program to welcome the first tourists to Sa Pa in 2024; welcoming the first group of tourists participating in the irregular passenger transport route across the Vietnam - China border; welcoming the first group of tourists to Lao Cai by railưay; coordinating with Vietnam Airlines Corporation - Heritage Magazine to film to promote tourism in Bat Xat and Sa Pa, and at the same time promote tourism in Lao Cai on flights of Vietnam Airlines, etc.

International cooperation programs contribute to promoting the image of the destination, enhancing the position of Lao Cai on the world tourism map; opening up opportunities for exchange and connection to attract international visitors and increasing the exchange of visitors. In 2024, Lao Cai was one of the top destinations in the world; the leading destination in Vietnam; the leading of the 8 expanded Northwestern provinces (in terms of number of visitors and revenue). Tourism revenue reached nearly 27 trillion VND. The total number of visitors to Lao Cai reached 8 million, including over 800 thousand international visitors.

Hundreds of businesses participate in the 2025 Meeting Program, Lao Cai - The center of economic trade connection between Vietnam and ASEAN countries with the Southwest region of China.

Lao Cai's tourism infrastructure is increasingly developing (Hanoi - Lao Cai highway; upcoming Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong high-speed railway; Sa Pa airport is being gradually invested and built) to meet the needs of easy access for international tourists. In recent years, Lao Cai's tourism development space has been expanded, with a focus, key points, associated with environmental protection, landscape preservation, conservation, and promotion of heritage values. Connections strengthening, while creating a diverse chain of experiences and combining relaxation with exploring nature, culture, cuisine, connecting many destinations in one journey has been increasingly attracting many international visitors to experience Lao Cai.

With its existing potential and advantages, along with the continuous efforts of the authorities and people at all levels, Lao Cai tourism is on the path of strong development. International cooperation will be an important driving force for Lao Cai to become an attractive and sustainable tourist destination in the region and the world./.