Need to exploit commensurate with the potential
Gia Lai has become the second largest province in the country (after Lam Dong), possessing abundant resources from forests to sea, creating favorable conditions for the development of diverse tourism. Not far from Pleiku center is Bien Ho (To Nung Lake) - the vestige of the volcanic crater that collapsed millions of years ago. This is not only a scenic spot ranked at the national level since 1988 but also an important archaeological site, marking prehistoric residents in Gia Lai.
With its blue water in the middle of the plateau, Bien Ho was voted by the Vietnam Records Organization as one of the 5 most beautiful lakes in Vietnam (in 2014), attracting about 150,000 visitors each year. This area is being planned to develop with Chu Dang Ya volcano into a key tourist area.
Besides, Bien Ho Che is a unique destination, combining lake water and lush green tea hills stretching along the hillside. The road leading to this area stands out with centuries-old ancient pine trees, creating a typical landscape of the plateau. The tea plantation was formed in 1919–1920 by the French, being one of the first tea growing areas in Pleiku.
In addition, Kon Ka Kinh National Park, about 60km northeast of Pleiku, is typical of ecotourism and trekking. With a diverse ecosystem, majestic scenery and fresh climate, this place is recognized as ASEAN Heritage, affirming its position on the ecotourism map of Southeast Asia.
The coastal area of the Central region has long been famous for its picturesque natural scenery. Thi Nai Lagoon is over 5,000ha wide, possessing a rich mangrove ecosystem, high biodiversity, attracting a large number of tourists. Banh It Tower (also known as Silver Tower) dates back to the late XI–XII centuries, is a fairly intact and typical Cham tower complex in Vietnam, ranked as a national architectural and artistic relic since 1982. The tower complex includes four works: Gate Tower, Bia Tower, Main Tower and Fire Tower, located on a high red hill, creating a majestic and majestic appearance. Each tower has its own architectural features, with a stone statue of Shiva on top, showing the unique cultural values of the Champa Kingdom.
By 2030, Gia Lai strives to welcome 18.5 million visitors, including 1.1 million international visitors; tourism revenue reaches about 45.500 billion VND. The province sets a target to develop accommodation facilities with about 33,000 rooms; average stay time reaches 3 days; direct tourism service labor through training and fostering reaches over 25,000 people.
Doing tourism must know how to serve, link to develop together
Gia Lai is facing a great opportunity when hosting the National Tourism Year 2026 - an important "push" to reposition the destination's image. However, to turn potential into a sustainable competitive advantage, local tourism not only needs to link and share but also find a different direction. In which, tourism development associated with clean, organic agriculture is considered a promising direction.
In fact, Gia Lai possesses an ideal natural foundation for developing this model. Fertile basalt land, mild climate, diverse landscapes with mountains, forests, waterfalls, natural lakes... are not only favorable for agricultural production but also suitable for forming experiential tourism products.
Mr. Nguyen Chat Sam - Director of Sam Phat Ia Ly Farmstay Company - said: "Currently, tourism exploitation is still fragmented, lacking connection between destinations, travel businesses and people, causing the length of stay and spending of tourists to be not high.
One of the issues that needs to be frankly recognized is the quality of agricultural production. The abuse of pesticides not only affects the environment but also directly impacts the image of tourism. When agriculture develops towards cleanliness, this will become a valuable "asset" for the tourism industry to exploit.
Current tourism trends show that tourists not only look for beautiful scenery but also want to experience reality. Coffee gardens, pepper gardens, durian gardens or organic-grown fruit trees can completely become attractive destinations. Here, tourists can directly participate in harvesting, processing, and enjoying local agricultural products - highly personalized experiences, creating a deep impression. This model not only increases economic value but also contributes to building the brand "Green - clean - sustainable Gia Lai".
Gia Lai also needs to have a long-term investment strategy, and at the same time encourage businesses and people to participate in community tourism development, creating a diverse product chain, closely linked. People at community tourism destinations need to be raised awareness and guided in service skills for tourists. A hot cup of tea, a clean room at home is also an invitation for guests to stay to visit and experience.
Travel agencies and specialized agencies need to strengthen information sharing and widespread connections about events, schedules, and destinations so that tourists can experience fully. Only then can tourism truly develop. When agriculture and tourism "join hands", localities will not only retain tourists longer but also increase the value of their own products," shared Mr. Nguyen Van Ha - a tourist from Ho Chi Minh City.
Mr. Ho An Phong - Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism said that Gia Lai needs to create a different destination, each region must have its own core products, avoid duplication and dispersion of resources; and at the same time upgrade accommodation facilities, apply digital technology, and build a smart tourism ecosystem to enhance the tourist experience.
At investment promotion conferences and tourism seminars, Gia Lai province has established a synchronous tourism ecosystem development strategy. In which, Quy Nhon city in the east bordering the sea is positioned as a platform to attract international visitors with high-class service standards; while Pleiku on the highlands becomes a new development space, a place to preserve cultural identity, landscape and unique experiences, creating a harmonious linkage chain.
To increase the number of tourists, many businesses propose that the province soon expand flight routes, strengthen market connections, build a strong enough ecosystem to welcome international visitors and develop attractive tourism products. At the same time, close coordination between the government and businesses is needed to find investment opportunities.
Gia Lai Provincial Party Secretary Thai Dai Ngoc committed that the province will continue to accelerate key infrastructure projects, expressways and connecting transportation systems, upgrade international airports... to serve tourism development.
