During the visit from June 12-14, the delegation will review co-operative projects, such as the development of Lao Cai tourism sector, including Sapa’s urban planning and planting of temperate fruit.

They agreed with provincial leaders’ proposals to build a facility to produce red wine in Lao Cai and utilise the fruit that is being planted in the region. The delegation visited fruit orchards in Bac Ha district and Ta Phin commune in Sapa district, and worked with Hoang Lien National Park, which receives the region’s support in developing high quality eco-tourism services and training officials.

After five years, the co-operative programme has achieved significant results. Aquitaine has provided Lao Cai with consultancy on the making of general and detailed plans to develop the Sapa-Lao Cai tourism area to turn it into a famous destination of international standards. Aquitaine has recently given Lao Cai more than 3,600 fruit trees, including grapes, peach, plum, apple and kiwi and has helped the province train technical officials. Lao Cai has a plan to grow around 4-5 hectares of foreign peach trees this year. 

On the occasion, the Lao Cai People’s Committee presented the “honourable citizen” title to Jean Guerard for his contribution to local socio-economic development.