Exploring Community Tourism in Van Son Commune

12/23/2024 - 10:16:22 AM

Van Son Commune, Tan Lạc district, Hoa Binh province also known as "Cloud Valley," boasts a cool climate, stunning natural landscapes, and majestic scenery. Visitors who have been to this place should make a stop at Chien Hamlet to experience a lot of fascinating things and feel the friendly, warmth of the Muong ethnic people.

Community tourism in Chien Hamlet began in 2019. There are three households participating in the homestay model to meet the accommodation needs of tourists, including Hai Than, Xuan Truong, and Thu Bi. This destination attracts visitors with its pristine natural landscape, where nearly 80 Mương households still live in traditional stilt houses, maintain agricultural practices, and preserve rituals, customs, cultural identities.

The mandarin orange harvest season, a specialty of Cloud Valley, is in full swing. Visitors to Chien Hamlet at this time will have the opportunity to enjoy and experience picking mandarin oranges in the garden. About 2 km away, Lung Van Market is a popular tourist destination where visitors can appreciate the cultural colors of the community.

From Chien Hamlet, it takes only about 10 minutes by car to reach Nam Son Cave, a national-level scenic spot and a favorite attraction for many tourists, especially international visitors.

A vibrant cultural program at the community tourism site in Chien Hamlet, Van Son Commune, Tân Lạc District, Hoa Binh province.

Mr. Bui Van Than, the owner of Hai Than Homestay, shared: Besides the Nam Son Cave located within the Ngoc Son - Ngo Luong Nature Reserve, the area also features U Bo Hill, offering the beauty of the "green steppe," Mo Pond with its abundant water, and majestic scenery. Particularly, right in the center of the community tourism site, one of the three ancient litchi trees is being preserved.

Along with the natural advantages and potential, the Muong people of Chien Hamlet are always conscious of promoting their cultural identity by wearing Muong traditional clothing daily, and preserving their way of life. From being relatively unknown, community tourism in Chien Hamlet has attracted many groups of visitors, including international tourists.

Recently, Hoa Binh province and Tan Lac district have supported the destination with infrastructure and technical facilities to promote tourism, create jobs, and improve livelihoods for ethnic minority people. The province has also invited many travel agencies and businesses to survey the destination, evaluate the experiential products, and develop tourism tours to Cloud Valley.

Hoa Binh - A community tourism destination

Hoa Binh province’s rich natural and cultural resources position it as a prime location for developing community-based tourism (CBT). In recent years, support from central and provincial policies, as well as assistance from non-governmental organisations, have encouraged local ethnic minority and mountainous communities to actively engage in the sector.

Hoa Binh province welcomes over 4.3 million tourists

Thanks to the effective exploitation of natural landscape and the cultural diversity of ethnic minorities, Hoa Binh province has become an attractive destination for tourists seeking experiences and exploration.

Training on implementing the model of the cultural heritage connected in the cultural tourism journey

The Department of Cultural Heritage has just coordinated with the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Hoa Binh province to organize a training on implementing the model of the cultural heritage connected in the cultural tourism journey in Cao Phong and Lac Son districts.

Dao Tien ethnic village combines tourism with cultural preservation

The Sung village in Cao Son commune, Da Bac district, is endowed with pristine natural landscape, and Dao Tien ethnic minority community in the village preserves rich cultural heritage, including traditional housing, clothing, language, scripts, customs, and daily life practices. Since the community-based tourism model was introduced in the locality, these traditional cultural values have been further preserved and promoted.

Hang Kia community tourism site has been attracting tourists

Currently, in the region of Mong ethnic people, Hang Kia commune (Mai Chau) is exploiting the community tourism activities relatively effectively. The tourism economy has been sustainably developing, basing on the potential and advantages of the natural resources and traditional cultural identity. The model is increasingly being replicated, creating changes in awareness, and contributing to the progressive changes in people's lives.

Thai village charms foreign visitors

Nestled at the foot of a mountain with the serene Sia stream flowing by, Hich 2 village in Mai Hich commune, Mai Chau district, offers a tranquil retreat and an authentic cultural experience of the Thai ethnic community. Known for its unspoiled nature and preserved traditions, it has become a favourite destination for international tourists.