In some kind of twisted logic, harsh weather conditions that impose considerable hardships often add to the lure of a place for visitors from afar.

So when earlier this month, temperatures in the northern province of Lao Cai Province dropped to a chilly four degrees Celsius forcing residents to add extra layers of clothing for their children and provide blankets and warm stables for their livestock, the tourists flowed in, excited to see the misty mountains and valleys and experience the cold.

Cao Huong, an intrepid traveller in her late twenties, was one of those who saw an opportunity in the colder than usual weather.

“After each cold wave,” she said, “there will usually be a rise in temperature, and if you go up the mountains at this time, chances are that you can see the magnificent sea of clouds and capture it with your camera.”

Indeed, members of online photography groups have been sharing tips on how, when and where extremely photogenic landscapes can enhance the experience of mountain climbing.

Fittingly then, it was amidst this cold wave that the northwestern mountainous province hosted the launch of the National Year of Tourism in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam.

This year’s campaign, themed “Colours of the Northwest”, will see a series of activities and events designed to attract more visitors to the mountainous areas.

The region is home to 30 ethnic groups with a rich and diverse culture, magnificent landscapes and “golden destinations” like the Mai Chau Valley, the Moc Chau Highlands, the Dong Van Karst Park, the terraced fields of Mu Cang Chai, the historic base in Muong Phang Forest (from where General Vo Nguyen Giap directed the Dien Bien Phu Campaign against the French) and Mt Fansipan.

“We are building roads and extending the electricity network. We are developing our human resources and maintaining our traditions. We have designed tours with different themes, like the soul-searching tours upstream Red and Black rivers, community tours where you live like a local, adventure tours to conquer mountains, tours to see beautiful, rare flowers, and market fair tours where you meet people who come to buy and sell tools, maize, cattle and poultry, maize liquor and indigo fabric, and tours to explore all the dimensions of our vast terraced fields,” explains Dang Xuan Phong, chairman of the Lao Cai People’s Committee.

New stamps have been issued to mark the year. One stamp carries the terraced fields and another the Mt Fansipan.

Broadcast live on national television, the ceremony gathered more than 100 performers, dancers and singers who highlighted the diverse cultures and colours of the region.

An active traveller since her student days, Cao Huong twice climbed Mt Fansipan in her youth and recalls how she used to climb steps everyday to prepare to scale the peaks.

“Fansipan has become accessible by cable car, but there are other mountains you can still climb with your feet and hands, and, in some cases, with the help of ropes, steel hooks and a porter,” she says.

Vietnam’s fourth highest peak, Bach Moc Luong Tu on the Hoang Lien Son Range stands tall at 3,040m above sea level.

Huong says it took her three days and two nights to get there. “In total, it’s only 30 kilometres, but there are many dangerous slopes. There was a cliff that we had to boulder and belay with the help of two porters who carried rice and other amenities for the group.”

In the first three days of the Lunar New Year holiday, a record 40,000 people visited Sa Pa, 5,000 of them foreigners.

“We expect to receive 3.1 million tourists this year,” said Ha Van Thang, head of the Lao Cai Culture, Sport and Tourism Department. “About one million of the tourists would be foreigners,” he added.

More visitors mean more income and job opportunities for local businesses.

But while tourism generates greater revenues for localities and their populations, some of the lasting negative impacts cannot be ignored.

The most obvious downside of tourism is environmental pollution.

“There’s loads of plastic garbage along the road up to Mt Bach Moc Luong Tu, the fourth tallest mountain top of Vietnam,” Huong laments. “And that’s despite the huge number of garbage bins”.

She and her group bury organic garbage on roadsides and bring non-organic waste back with them.

“Self-decomposing toilets also need to be installed at the stops,” she says.

According to some travellers, even at 2,000m above sea level, locals have cut down trees in protected forest areas to make huts and temporary shelters for overnight stays.

Forest fire is another risk. “All tourists need to be warned of possible forest fires if they light fires in prohibited areas. Even locals and porters need training on this issue,” Huong says.

An adverse social impact of tourism seen in the past several years is that children drop out of school to work for tourists. Local administrations have taken the problem seriously, though, and convinced parents and students not to do this. These days, children are no longer seen working during school time.

Some tourists have taken photographs of young people clad in ethnic Mong attire panhandling in downtown Sa Pa. Several reports have spoken of rising prostitution.

“Any tourism campaign must ensure that locals, especially ethnic minorities, derive sustainable benefits that improve their standard of living and help them preserve their original traditions and lifestyles as much as possible,” Huong says.

HONG KONG ARTS MONTH

March 1 to 31, Hong Kong

Each March, Hong Kong’s flourishing arts scene comes to fruition with an inspirational spectrum of events. Local and overseas artists converge to bring about inspiring programmes including exhibitions, dance, music and theatre. Tap into this celebration of creativity to encounter the latest works by established and emerging artists from around the world. Aside from enjoying exhibitions and performances, take a stroll around town to discover beauty and creativity out in the open at Central Station and along Hollywood Road.

SHIKARIBETSU LAKE KOTAN

Now until March 20, Hokkaido, Japan

Tokachi’s Lake Shikaribetsu in Daisetsu National Park is frozen in winter and that’s the time Igloo village is built. At the igloo village, you can dip into an open-air hot bath filled with hot spring water from Shikaribetsu Onsen, get some drinks from the Ice Bar and spend your night in an igloo built upon the frozen lake to enjoy winter to the extreme. Tons of activities are also available, including ice glass making, snowmobiling, and trekking in the snow-covered forest.

HOLI

March 13, India

Holi in India is what the Songkran Festival is to Thailand, though instead of throwing buckets of water over passers-by, the Indians have fun with coloured powders. The result is you end up looking like a rainbow, but it’s all in good fun. The joyful festival celebrates the harvest and Earth’s fertility with processions, singing, dancing, traditional songs and lots more.

JEJU HUEREE APRICOT FLOWER FESTIVAL

Now until March 3, Jeju-do, South Korea

Jeju Hueree Maehwa Festival takes place at Hueree Natural Park every year from late February to early March. Maehwa is the Korean word for apricot flower, which is the sign of spring. The blossoming of the flowers is celebrated at the earliest time in Korea through this festival. Expect various fun activities such as the apricot flower photo contest, black pig show and goose show.

RAPTOR WATCH 2016

March 11, Malacca, Malaysia

Raptor Watch 2017 returns to the shores of Tanjung Tuan, Malacca on March 11. The signature event of the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), the festival celebrates the return of the migratory birds of prey known as raptors on their journey back to their breeding grounds in the northern hemisphere. Raptor Watch is a public event meant to raise awareness on the conservation of raptors and their habitats. Staple favourite activities including guided walks, games arts and craft will be featured.

FULL MOON LANTERN FESTIVAL

March 10, Hoi An, Vietnam

Each full moon, the heritage town of Hoi An celebrates true lunar beauty by turning all its lights off. The Unesco World Heritage Site town, filled with creaky wooden buildings and narrow streets, switches off the electricity for one night and the entire town is lit by candlelight. Candlelit offerings are floated downstream. Beautiful, vibrantly coloured, silk lanterns come into their own once the glare of halogens has retreated.

Up, up and away

Thai AirAsia adds two new daily flights to its service from U-tapao International Airport, a short distance from Pattaya Beach. The flights link the Eastern Seaboard with Ubon Ratchathani in the northeast and Phuket in the South. Special fares are available through Sunday. The new service aims to spice up the tourism industry by bridging tourist destinations across the country. Visitwww.AirAsia.com.

Beautiful bivalves

Most oysters look pretty much the same, but they taste different depending on the place of origin. For those who simply cannot resist the so-called aphrodisiac washed down with a glass or two of bubbly, Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel is holding an “Oysters of the World” promotion from March 3 to 16 at Madison restaurant. Check it out for a selection of Eagle Rock Oysters from America, Fine De Claire from France, Matoya from Japan and Tasmanian Oysters from Australia. Prices start at Bt140. Book a table at (02) 126 8866 or email madison.asia@anantara.com.

All about vanilla

Movenpick Hotels & Resorts have rolled out their new vanilla-inspired savoury menu at their properties, in Asia following the concept’s overwhelming success in Europe. Discerning diners can sample the innovative “Vanille Salee” promotion until March 21 through six one-of-a-kind vanilla-enhanced dishes. Traditionally used for desserts, vanilla produces exciting results when added to hearty savoury dishes: its mild flavour harmonises to surprising perfection with white meats and fish. Check it out at Movenpick properties in Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket. Visitwww.Movenpick.com.

Music in their midst

The Fine Arts Department hosts the Sukhothai World Heritage Live Orchestra at the northern world heritage site next Tuesday and Wednesday. Led by conductor Wanich Potawanich, classical symphonies will blend with Thai culture in a two-hour musical extravaganza that celebrates the ruins. Tickets cost Bt900 and the gates opens at 7pm. Sukhothai province is slightly more than an hour by plane from Bangkok and there are three flights a day.

Chukkas for elephants

Back in Bangkok for its 2017 edition from March 9 to 12, the King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament takes place by the Chao Phraya River and features 10 teams of more than 40 players, including Thai celebrities, supermodels, professional horse polo players and members of the New Zealand All-Blacks rugby team. As ever, the four-day festival will have something for everyone including an impressive Opening Parade, Children’s Educational Day, Ladies Day and fun-elephant related activities. Now in its 15th year, the tournament has become one of the biggest charitable events in Southeast Asia with more than US$1.3 million (Bt46 million) raised. Find out more at http://www.AnantaraElephantPolo.com.

A touch of “Charme”

The District Grill Room & Bar welcomes French chef Nicolas Isnard from the Michelin-starred Auberge de la Charme restaurant in Prenois from March 15 to 18 for a gustatory delight of classic French dishes with Mediterranean and Italian influences. Part of Marriott Sukhumvit, the District Grill Room & Bar is inspired by the Meatpacking District in New York City and is open every evening from 5 to 11 and for Sunday brunch. Book a table at (02) 797 0400 or visitFacebook.com/MarriottSukhumvit.

Up, up and away

The International Balloon Fiesta 2017 returns to Chiang Rai’s skies this week in celebration of Valentine’s Day. Running through Saturday, the popular hot-air balloon festival features more than 30 visually striking balloons from 14 countries around the globe including England, France, China, Japan, the United States and Thailand. Gorgeously designed and decked out in all colours of the rainbow, these striking balloons helmed by top-tier pilots will transform the skies over the northern Thai city. Check it out for free at Singha Park or take a visual tour at www.SinghaPark.com.

An island celebrates

Laguna Phuket organises the inaugural “Laguna Phuket Food & Music Festival” from March 3 to 5. The aim is to heighten Phuket province’s status as a “City of Gastronomy”, launch and raise funds for the “Children First Fund”, which supports Phuket orphanages, as well as to create yet another lifestyle destination event within Laguna Phuket resort complex. The highlight, a star-studded Charity Gala Dinner with auctions, will be held on March 4 at the resort’s grand Latitude Marquee with entertainment from Black ‘n’ Blue band, Gam, Fivera and Jazziam. Enjoy it for Bt3,000 and Bt28,000 (table of 10).

Visit www.LagunaPhuket.com, call (076) 362 300 extension 1404 or email: ticket@lagunaphuket.com.

THE MARCH BASHO

March 12 to 26, Osaka, Japan

The greatest Sumo wrestlers in Japan meet at the Osaka Municipal Gymnasium for The March Basho, one of the year’s six Grand Tournaments. The crowd cheers as two huge wrestlers, rikishi, attempt to push each other out of a circular ring or throw each other to the hard clay floor. The first sumo matches, dating back some 1,500 years, were a form of ritual dedicated to the gods with prayers for a bountiful harvest and were performed together with sacred dancing and dramas within the precincts of the shrines. Even today the sport includes many ritual elements, such as the use of salt purification, with the symbolic salt scattered before each contest.

HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL

February 16 to March 18, Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Arts Festival (HKAF), launched in 1973, is a major international event committed to enriching the life of the city by presenting about 150 performances and more than 250 art and educational events. The pinnacle of Hong Kong’s performing arts events, it showcases Asia’s top talents alongside leading artists from around the world and pitches to a wide range of appetites, from the classical, to the avant-garde, to the electrifying. Visit http://www.HK.ArtsFestival.org.

JEJU HUEREE APRICOT FLOWER FESTIVAL

February 17 to March 1, Jeju-do, South Korea

Jeju Hueree Maehwa Festival takes place at Hueree Natural Park every year from late February to early March. Maehwa is the Korean word for apricot flower, which is the sign of spring. The blossoming of the flowers is celebrated at the earliest time in Korea through this festival. Expect various fun activities such as the apricot flower photo contest, black pig show and goose show.

HACHINOHE ENBURI

February 17 to 20, Hachinohe, Japan

Every year, more than 30 groups of dancers or tayu and musicians wearing colourful costumes parade through the city of Hachinohe in Aomori Prefecture to pray for a rich harvest and celebrate the arrival of spring. In the old days. the dancers used to carry farm tools called enburi while performing their dance. The dances, expressing scenes of farm work, consist of the naga-enburi, which is performed slowly, and the gallant, high-tempo dosai-enburi. After paying a visit to the Shinra Jinja early in the morning on the first day of the festival, the groups set off on their parades. The eboshi hats of the tayu dancers are designed in the shape of a horse’s neck, as a horse was considered indispensable in farm work.

RAPTOR WATCH 2017

March 11, Malacca, Malaysia

Raptor Watch at Tanjung Tuan or Cape Rachado is now Malaysia’s biggest and best eco-tourism event and has become synonymous with the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) . The festival celebrates the return of the migratory raptors on their journey back to their breeding grounds in the northern hemisphere. Raptor Watch is a public event meant to raise awareness on the conservation of raptors and their habitats. Guided walks, games and arts and craft are also featured.

INTERNATIONAL YOGA FESTIVAL

March 1 to 7, Rishikesh, India

Get your breathing in sync and prepare to join Rishikesh’s International Yoga Festival at the Parmath Niketan Ashram. Known as the “City of the Divine”, the ashram is a spiritual centre to which sages, rishis, saints and pilgrims have flocked for millennia. The seven day programme includes more than 70 hours of yoga classes from world class teachers by the banks of the Ganges that demonstrate and explore the major traditions of hatha, raja, karma, bhakti, mantra, laya and jnana, plus evening discussions with some of India’s leading spiritual leaders. Don’t forget to keep some time to visit the many interesting places in the area.