(HBO) – Hoa Binh province has what it takes to develop agri-tourism. The province is home to more than 88,400 hectares of agricultural land, including 4,700 hectares of citrus fruits, over 6,500 hectares of purple and green sugarcanes and 11,000 hectares of vegetables. It also has more than 4,700 cages of fish, mostly in the Hoa Binh Reservoir.
Hoa Binh lake is a tourist destination.
Hoa
Binh is nationally renowned for a variety of agricultural specialties, such as
Cao Phong and Lac Thuy oranges, Tan Lac and Yen Thuy pomelos, Da River prawn
and fish, and purple sugarcane. Many orange farms in Cao Phong have strived to
make the most of their potential by combining agriculture and tourism.
It is
naturally blessed with scenic rolling limestone mountains and magnificent
caves, particularly Dau Rong caves and mountains in Cao Phong district, Tien
Pagoda’s caves in Lac Thuy district, Ngoi Hoa and Nam Son caves in Tan Lac district,
and Trung Son cave in Luong Son district; and a number of primitive tropical
forests as well as nature reserves, namely Pu Canh, Ngoc Son – Ngo Luong,
Thuong Tien, and Hang Kia – Pa Co.
The
popular Hoa Binh Reservoir, which has 47 islets and islands, is dubbed as Ha
Long Bay on land. It holds large potential for the locals to develop eco-tours
and adventure tours, most favoured by young people and foreign travelers.
The
province, which has a total population of 850,000, is one of the most
ethnically diverse province in Vietnam. It is inhabited by various ethnic
minority groups, such as Muong, Thai, Tay, Dao and Mong, which together account
for 74.31 percent of the population. The ethnic minorities have still preserved
centuries-old rich and distinctive cultures.
New
tourism services have been developed within small and cozy villages of local
ethnic minorities, attracting an increasing number of visitors, particularly
foreigners. Hoa Binh now has many well-known community-based villages and more
than 150 homestay facilities.
Hoa
Binh has also worked hard to maintain and restore traditional festivals of
ethnic minorities.
Fifty-seven
out of 131 communes in Hoa Binh have achieved new-style rural area status after
the new rural development programme was launched in the province 10 years ago.
Seven communes have meet advanced new-style rural area standards while 39
residential zones have been named as model ones.
The
province has been making all necessary steps for 58 local signature products to
be recognized as 3-star "One Commune, One Product” (OCOP) products, including
two in tourism./.
A Phong Linh (Yellow Tabebuia) flower garden in Thang village, Thach Yen commune, Cao Phong district is currently in full bloom, drawing a large number of visitors.
Community-based tourism has been thriving in Pa Co commune, Mai Chau district thanks to advantages in natural landscape and cultural identity.
Doan Ket commune of Yen Thuy district has recently held a ceremony to receive a certificate recognising Ta communal house as a provincial-level historical and cultural relic site.
In Lac Thuy district, the fertile alluvial land along the Boi River is now home to lush green mulberry gardens, marking the emergence of a new agricultural industry - mulberry cultivation and silkworm farming.
Officially opening in February, Ngoi Hoa Ecotourism Site (PriorBay Resort) in Suoi Hoa commune, Tan Lac district, has quickly become a sought-after destination. It offers visitors a chance to indulge in distinctive and enticing experiences.
Gia Trang Heian Homestay, a unique cultural oasis in the heart of Hoa Binh city, has become a compelling attraction for tourists seeking ethnic cultural experiences within an urban setting. Bui Thi Hien, a local in Kim Boi district with aspiration for ethnic culture and community-based tourism development, created the homestay that seamlessly blends traditional and contemporary features.