In the context of digital transformation in the tourism sector, the Son La Digital Tourism Map has been developed as a core component of the province’s smart tourism digital ecosystem. It serves as a central tool that connects data, spatial information, and visitor experiences, contributing to improved management efficiency, destination promotion, and the delivery of modern, intuitive, and convenient services for tourists.

The Digital Map – The “Backbone” of Smart Tourism

Unlike traditional maps that merely display geographic locations, the Son La Digital Tourism Map is developed as a data-driven map, integrating in a unified manner:

- Spatial locations of tourist attractions, services, and sightseeing routes;

- Detailed destination information, including descriptions, images, videos, 360-degree content, and cultural–historical narratives;

- Thematic data layers organized by communes/wards, tourism routes, and types of experiences.

Through the digital map, all tourism resources of the province are digitized, standardized, and centrally displayed, forming a solid foundation for the exploitation and expansion of smart tourism services.

Integration within the Smart Tourism Digital Ecosystem

The Son La Digital Tourism Map does not operate independently but is deeply integrated into the smart tourism digital ecosystem, notably through the Son La Tour application and system. Within this ecosystem:

- The digital map functions as the central spatial and data visualization layer;

- Smart tourism applications utilize the map for destination search, navigation, and itinerary suggestions;

- The content management system (CMS) enables authorities to update data and manage access rights in accordance with the two-tier local government model (province – commune/ward);

As a result, the digital map becomes a bridge connecting government authorities, businesses, local communities, and tourists, ensuring shared, synchronized, and consistent use of data.

Enhancing Visitor Experience – Supporting Effective Management

For tourists, the Son La Digital Tourism Map enables:

- Easy search and exploration of prominent destinations such as the Moc Chau Plateau, Ta Xua, Ngoc Chien, and historical–cultural heritage sites;

- Access to visual, multimedia information, GPS positioning, and suggested sightseeing routes;

- Proactive travel planning tailored to individual timeframes, preferences, and experiential needs.

For state management agencies, the digital map serves as a tool to:

- Centrally manage tourism data by commune/ward and by type of tourism;

- Support monitoring, statistics, and analysis of visitor behavior and demand;

- Provide a basis for planning, promotion, and the sustainable development of tourism.

Towards a Multidimensional, Intelligent Tourism Map

In its long-term development orientation, the Son La Digital Tourism Map is designed to evolve into a multidimensional and intelligent tourism map, meeting the requirements of tourism development in the era of digital transformation and integration.

Beyond providing location-based information, the map is gradually expanded into a comprehensive digital space, where data on tourism resources, services, culture, and experiences are interconnected, organized, and flexibly utilized to simultaneously serve management, promotion, and visitor information needs.

The development of the map in a multidimensional and intelligent direction aims to:

- Enhance the connectivity and utilization of tourism data on a unified platform;

- Improve visualization, accessibility, and convenience in information search and exploration;

- Support effective management, operation, and strategic planning for sustainable tourism development;

- Establish an open foundation ready for future integration and expansion of digital functions and services.

Through this orientation, the Son La Digital Tourism Map continues to affirm its role as a central component of the smart tourism digital ecosystem, contributing to the gradual modernization of tourism management, improving service quality, and promoting the image of Son La tourism in a professional, effective, and sustainable manner.