Spiritual tourism is a popular trend nowadays. The spiritual tourism demand of Lao Cai people in particular and the whole country in general has become a driving force for the development of spiritual tourism.

Lao Cai has many potentials and strengths to develop spiritual tourism, including more than 30 relics listed for tourism exploitation and development. In addition, religious activities and folk festivals are held year-round throughout the province.

According to statistics from the Department of Tourism, the number of spiritual tourists is increasing, accounting for a large proportion of the tourist structure, especially domestic tourists. In 2023, the total number of visitors to Lao Cai will reach more than 7.2 million, of which visitors to spiritual tourist areas are estimated to reach more than 3.5 million. On the occasion of the Lunar New Year of Giap Thin 2024 alone, Bao Ha Temple will welcome an average of more than 20,000 visitors per day.

Ms. Vu Thi To Uyen, a tourist from Hanoi, said: As a tradition, my family goes to Lao Cai at least twice a year to visit and worship at temples such as Bao Ha, Co Temple, Thuong Temple, and Mau Temple. At the beginning of the year, we pray for wealth, fortune, and luck, and at the end of the year, we go to give thanks. That is a belief that helps us have more faith to work hard, but it is also an opportunity for our children to learn more about spiritual tourist attractions and understand more about history.

The demand for spiritual tourism is increasingly diverse, not only limited to the framework of activities related to religion but also increasingly expanding to spiritual activities, traditional beliefs of the nation and other sacred elements such as the Dao people's initiation ceremony, the Mong people's Gau tao festival, the Tay people's Xuong dong (Long tong) festival (Ta Chai commune, Bac Ha district), the Giay people's Roong Pooc festival (Ta Van commune, Sa Pa town), the Ha Nhi people's Kho gia gia festival (Y Ty commune, Bat Xat district)... Spiritual tourism activities are increasingly proactive, in-depth and have become an indispensable need in the spiritual life of many people.

In addition, business activities and investment in spiritual tourism are increasingly promoted, reflected in the scale and nature of activities of spiritual tourism areas and spots. Many spiritual tourism spots have been and are being invested in, renovated, upgraded and expanded such as Bao Ha Temple, Co Temple, Doi Co Temple, Trinh Tuong Temple, Thuong Temple, the complex of spiritual cultural works of Fansipan cable car tourist area...

To develop spiritual tourism, Lao Cai has improved the quality and diversified spiritual tourism products such as organizing pilgrimages, seminars, study programs, resorts, visits to spiritual relics and spiritual tourism routes... at the same time diversifying the content of spiritual tourism products such as pilgrimages combined with listening to lectures, learning meditation, yoga, attending cultural performances, spiritual arts, medical treatment, and resorts.

Mr. Lai Vu Hiep, Deputy Director of the Department of Tourism, said: Lao Cai tourism industry is researching and building spiritual tourism routes to pray for peace at the beginning of the new year such as Bao Ha temple - Co Tan An temple - Doi Co temple - Thuong temple - Mau temple - complex of spiritual cultural works on Fansipan peak or Bao Ha temple - Co Tan An temple - Phuc Khanh temple - Trung Do temple - Bac Ha temple - Hoang A Tuong palace route.

Lao Cai tourism has increased the introduction and promotion of festivals with folk beliefs to tourists. In addition, it has designed routes according to tourist segments such as tourists who go on pilgrimages alone, tourists who go on pilgrimages combined with tourism. On that basis, accommodation, food (vegetarian, health-conscious, clean and safe food, etc.) and means of transportation will be arranged accordingly.

Mr. Lai Vu Hiep, Deputy Director of the Provincial Department of Tourism.

In addition, the tourism industry will advise on the synchronous implementation of solutions to preserve and maintain the original state of spiritual cultural relics and festivals with spiritual elements; advise on consolidating and perfecting the organization and management apparatus at relic sites to meet the requirements of the task: establishing tourism management offices in key localities; supplementing sufficient human resources; training and improving the qualifications of cadres, civil servants and workers at relic sites. Lao Cai needs to thoroughly overcome the limitations at spiritual tourism destinations such as signs, explanation boards, environmental sanitation, fire prevention and fighting, food safety and hygiene... to facilitate and ensure safety for tourists. Strengthen propaganda, promotion and introduction of relics, especially traditional cultural and historical values. Effectively use information technology and communication in propaganda work.

At the same time, effectively implement the program of linking spiritual tourism development with provinces and cities along the Red River (Yen Bai, Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc, Hanoi, Ha Nam, Nam Dinh, Thai Binh) and provinces and cities of Hanoi - Hai Duong - Hai Phong - Quang Ninh... to create job opportunities, increase the diversification of spiritual tourism products, and preserve indigenous cultural values.