Gam river tour: Unlocking the heritage journey

From July 1, the merger of Ha Giang and Tuyen Quang provinces marks not only an administrative milestone but also unlocks new prospects for inter-regional tourism. A newly envisioned route, from Quan Ba and Meo Vac through Bac Me to Na Hang and the centre of Tuyen Quang, is poised to become a premier destination, linking some of northern Vietnam’s most distinctive natural and cultural heritages.

Tourists visit Coc Vai scenic spot.

To capitalize on this emerging trend, the Japan–Vietnam Culinary Association has proposed expanding buckwheat cultivation in communes such as Na Hang and Hong Thai. In addition to purchasing buckwheat seeds for soba noodle production and export, the association sees the plant’s vibrant blossoms as a valuable asset for tourism development. The initiative also supports local livelihoods by promoting beekeeping and the processing of agricultural products.

The “Legend of the Gam River” tourist route, once part of the “Through the Viet Bac Heritage Sites” tourism cooperation program, is now being actively revitalized. Beginning in Bac Me and following the Gam River through Lam Binh and Na Hang, the route offers a captivating natural landscape featuring dramatic limestone karsts, lush primeval forests, ethnic minority villages, and traditional floating fishing hamlets.

According to Mr. Hoang Hung, a photographer and member of the Tuyen Quang Literature and Arts Association, the area is a true “paradise for photographers,” brimming with potential for eco-tourism and authentic community-based experiences.

Associate Professor Dr. Duong Van Sau, former Head of Tourism at Hanoi University of Culture, believes the merger unlocks immense tourism potential. In his view, the combined strengths of Ha Giang and Tuyen Quang will form a “tourism symphony,” with the Gam River as its centerpiece, where majestic landscapes meet the deep cultural roots of ethnic communities.

Tourism businesses in the province, such as Co Son Nu Trading and Tourism Co., Ltd., etc., are actively developing long-term tour packages that fully showcase the natural beauty of the Na Hang - Lam Binh ecological lake area.

The provincial merger is not only an act of administrative restructuring, but also a chance to reimagine the region’s tourism landscape, unlocking vast development potential and positioning Tuyen Quang - Ha Giang as a new highlight on the tourism map of northern Vietnam’s mountainous areas.

Quang Hoa