(VOVworld) -  The Prime Minister has approved a master plan for the development of Lao Cai province’s Sapa national tourism area until 2030, with the goal of developing high-quality tourism products and attracting about 5.2 million visitor arrivals.

Sapa in Lao Cai province will be chosen the highlight of the 2017 National Tourism Year with theme “Color of northeastern region”. This photo features a rice harvest in Ta Van commune. (Photo: Nhat Anh – VNA)

According to the plan, the Sapa national tourism area covers the entire Sapa district, including a 1,500-hectare core region focused on tourism development.

Under the master plan Sapa will meet new criteria for a recognized national tourism area by 2020, and the Sapa national tourism area will become an international-level resort and cultural tourism center by 2030, with modern infrastructure, unique, high-quality tourism products; and strong competitiveness against other countries’ tourism centers.

The area hopes to welcome two million visitors in 2020 and 5.2 million visitors in 2030.