(HBO) - On August 1, 2016, the Prime Minister approved a master plan on the development of the Hoa Binh Lake National Tourism Site which serves as an important lever for disadvantaged areas along the lake to boost socio-economic development. After a long sleep, now Ngoi village in Suoi Hoa commune (Tan Lac district), Ke village in Hien Luong commune, Da Bia community tourism site in Tien Phong commune, and Sung village in Cao Son commune (Da Bac district) have became famous places on Vietnam's tourism map.
A corner of Hoa Binh lake.
Hoa Binh lake
has a surface area of about 9,000 ha and a capacity of about 9.45 billion cu.m,
spreading over the districts of Cao Phong, Da Bac, Tan Lac and Mai Chau and Hoa
Binh city. It is home to 47 islands, including 11 limestone ones covering an
area of about 116 hectares, and 36 mountainous land ones with a total area of
157.5 hectares. In addition, on Hoa Binh lake, there is a pristine and
mysterious karst cave system with multicolored stalactites like Thac Bo cave
and Hoa Tien cave. During all the four seasons, the lake water is clear and
green. Lying along the two banks are immense forests with rich flora.
Hamlets
of Muong, Thai and Dao ethnic groups dot Hoa Binh lake, where their diverse
cultural identities are being preserved. Ancient customs and traditions are expressed
through Muong folk songs, Mo Muong or special Muong gong performance. In addition,
the cuisine of the people here is rich, diverse and unique; and the craft of weaving
is passed down from generations to generations.
The
natural landscape mingled with the cultural identities of locals has created a
charming picture that can attract any visitor.
Bui Thi
Hieu, Vice Chairwoman of Da Bac District People's Committee, said that since
2014, the Australian Foundation for the Peoples of Asia and the Pacific (AFAP)
has supported four households in Ke village (Hien Luong commune) and Duc Phong village
(Tien Phong commune) in building and repairing houses, buying blankets, pillows
and cushions, and in training human resources, community tourism skills for
locals.
Before
2016, to support local people in developing their economy and improving their
living standards, the province had conducted a survey on potential of lakeside
communes to develop a tourism development project. The provincial Department of
Culture, Sports and Tourism had cooperated with other departments and agencies
to restore relic sites on Hoa Binh lake such as Bo temple in Cao Phong and Da
Bac districts, and Hoa Tien cave in Tan Lac district./.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.