The voting targets tourist sites, hamlets and cooperatives, hotels rated from one to five stars, and restaurants. 

Organisers will post voting regulations on the website and popularised the event through the media, social networks, agencies and travel firms nationwide. A judging panel will also be established to assess products and decide on prizes.

Eligible candidates must satisfy regulations of the Law on Tourism 2017, and the Government’s Decree No. 168/2017/ND-CP dated December 31, 2017 detailing a number of articles of the Law on Tourism on deposit levels for service business.

Registrations in an available form should be sent to the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The voting plan and rules will be issued in April. The People’s Committees of Son La city and districts, and tourism associations should send lists of candidates and dossiers to the department within May.

The voting will last since the day when the voting plan and rules are posted on the website on June 10 until 5:30pm on August 26, 2023. The jury will work for five days, beginning August 26. The award ceremony is scheduled for 3pm on September 1, 2023.

There will be one prize for the best tourist attraction, and one for the best tourist site, each worth 20 million VND (852.7 USD), along with certificates and flags.

The prizes will also include one for the group of 4- and 5-star hotels, two for 2- and 3-star hotels, worth 20 million VND; and three prizes for restaurants, worth 10 million VND. All of them will receive certificates and flags from the organisers.

The programme aims to promote the emulation movement to raise the quality of tourism products, making them more unique and professional, and encourage tourist sites and hamlets, lodging facilities and businesses to improve product quality, meeting the demand of both domestic and international holidaymakers.

It is also expected to enable travel firms to exchange experience and enhance cooperation, contributing to generating jobs and increasing income for labourers, especially those from ethnic minority groups./.