A seminar is being held to discuss ways of boosting tourism in eight of the North-Western provinces in Bac Ha district, Lao Cai province on June 18-19.

A joint programme for Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Phu Tho, Ha Giang, Hoa Binh, Son La, Dien Bien and Lai Chau has been in operation since November 2008 with the aim of coordinating policies, developing tourism products, advertising and training for workers in the hospitality industry.

The seminar will provide an excellent opportunity for the eight provinces to review their progress, and approve a draft plan for co-operation during the 2010-2015 period.

Pham Tat Thanh, from Lao Cai province’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism said that the programme has helped communities reduce poverty and improve the management skills of tourism officials as well as developing more unique tourism products in the eight provinces. With this programme, the eight provinces are looking for support from domestic and foreign investors, he added.

The 2010 Bac Ha traditional horse race will be held on June 19 with 75 runners from the two provinces of Lao Cai and Ha Giang on the starting line.