Tourism development along the East-West Economic Corridor is on the rise

A gastronomic tour is helping to promote Quang Tri Province’s rich cultural identity and unique tourism offerings.

Quang Tri Province has consistently pursued the policy of developing tourism products that allow travelers to explore countries along the East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC) by road.

These products are often referred to as “three-country meals in one day” by tour operators. As the eastern gateway of Vietnam, Quang Tri Province has facilitated Vietnamese tourists' visits to other EWEC countries while also welcoming foreign tourists to Quang Tri, showcasing its rich cultural identity and unique tourism offerings.

Leaders of the People's Committee of Gio An Commune, Gio Linh District, present flowers to a group of Thai, Lao, and Vietnamese tourists visiting the Gio An Ancient Irrigation System. Photo: Tu Linh

Tran Xuan Huy, Branch Director of Ha Long International Tourism Services and Trading JSC, based in Dong Ha City, recently organized a “three-country meals in one day” tour for a group of over 20 tourists. Their journey began with a morning departure from Dong Ha City, traveling along National Route 9 through the Lao Bao-Densavan International Border Gate. The group enjoyed lunch in Savannakhet Province, Laos, and later crossed into Thailand through the Savannakhet-Mukdahan International Border Gate in the afternoon. They concluded their day with dinner and an overnight stay in Mukdahan Province, Thailand.

The six-day, five-night tour offers tourists a chance to explore the cultural values of several Thai and Laotian provinces and cities, providing experiences that are not commonly available. Tran Huu Duy, a traveler on the tour, remarked that road travel to Laos and Thailand is particularly appealing, allowing tourists to discover diverse new regions with unique characteristics.

Additionally, the company also brings Laotian and Thai tourists through the Densavan-Lao Bao International Border Gate to visit notable sites in Quang Tri, such as Ta Con Airport, Vinh Moc Tunnels, and the Two Sides of Ben Hai River - Hien Luong Bridge. Thai traveler Surasac expressed that the road trip to Quang Tri was an engaging and enjoyable experience.

He particularly enjoyed discovering the pristine beaches of Cua Viet and Cua Tung, meeting friendly and hospitable locals, and savoring delectable seafood. He plans to recommend this captivating destination to his friends upon returning home.

Nguyen Duc Tan, Director of the Quang Tri Investment, Trade, and Tourism Promotion Agency, emphasized that tour and route organizers recognize the invaluable potential of EWEC country routes. They are committed to linking these routes and developing them into distinctive tourism products.

Recognizing the importance of meeting actual needs, Quang Tri is dedicated to enhancing tourism demand and development to enrich the “three-country meals in one day” product.

In late 2023, the province launched a Caravan Tourism Program titled “Quang Tri Colors,” which saw participation from over 80 prominent travel agencies across Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. The program allowed participants to explore various destinations throughout the province.

As part of the initiative, a seminar was held to foster tourism connections between Quang Tri and its neighboring countries, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand. The goal was to stimulate tourism demand and development, attracting more travelers from these countries and around the world to Quang Tri.

According to Tan, the center has collaborated with the Quang Tri Tourism Association to highlight the region’s potential and strengths. This includes promoting various tours such as “Experiencing Quang Tri Beaches” on weekends and a “Three-Day, Two-Night Tour Program” to build connections with Laotian and Thai travel businesses.

Representatives from these businesses have visited Quang Tri to survey tours and routes and provide feedback on improving the quality of the province’s tourism products. Local tourism has received positive responses from visitors from neighboring countries.

Enthusiastic about leveraging the tourism strengths of EWEC countries, Hoang Nam, Vice Chairman of the Quang Tri Province People’s Committee, emphasized that the corridor is crucial in connecting localities across the Mekong Subregion. Governments are committed to enhancing economic and cultural exchanges, with trade, tourism, and services development as strategic priorities.

Despite significant efforts, collaboration in tourism development along the EWEC, including between Quang Tri and its Thai and Laotian counterparts, has not yet fully realized the tourism potential and strengths of each region.

To address this, it is recommended that tourism and travel associations in Laos and Northeast Thailand establish stronger links to promote key tourist destinations in Quang Tri. At the same time, Quang Tri’s tourism and travel companies should actively engage with foreign partners to facilitate visitor exchanges.

These efforts will yield mutual benefits and support local tourism and socio-economic development. Additionally, the Quang Tri Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, along with the Quang Tri Tourism Association, should regularly update and introduce new tourism products and announce tourism stimulus programs to attract both domestic and international travel businesses.

Tu Linh - Jenna Duong