(HBO) - With over 80 percent of Thai ethnic group living, Bao La commune in Mai Chau district has a cool climate and terrain surrounded by mountains, terraced fields, waterfalls and winding streams flowing all year round. These are existing potential and advantages to develop tourism, with the building of a community-based tourism trademark as a highlight.
Peaceful space at Thanh Nghi homestay in Chieng Pung hamlet, Bao La
commune, Mai Chau district.
Stopping at Thanh Nghi homestay, Chieng Pung hamlet to immerse in the peaceful
space of the rural area and contemplate the immense rice fields, the first
impression when entering the homestay was the friendly smile of the host, the
old stilt house and the yard full of flowers. Visitors to the homestay, which
was officially operational in 2018, could experience life of Thai ethnic people
by going out to the fields to harvest rice, fishing and bathing in
streams.
Owner of the homestay Ha Thanh Nghi said when
embarking on the development of community-based tourism, he and other
households wanted tourists to discover and experience the unique customs of
Thai ethnic people, thus gradually establishing tourism development groups to
create a local community tourism trademark.
Taking advantage of majestic natural landscapes, mild climate and unique
culture of Thai ethnic group, 10 households in the commune have engaged in
community tourism development. Visitors could join trekking tours on Hang Kia –
Pa Co – Cun Pheo – Bao La route, cycle on dangerous roads and paraglide. A
market fair held every Friday morning also attracts residents in the area and
nearby localities. Coming there, visitors could see charming girls in Thai
costumes, explore local specialties and handicrafts made by locals.
One of the highlights in resort tourism development in Bao La commune is Avana
Retreat Mai Chau Resort, which was recently put into operation. On a planned
site of 15ha, it houses villas on the hillside overlooking golden terraced
fields during the ripe rice season. In particular, the resort boasts a
waterfall which is considered the most beautiful in Mai Chau. Avana Retreat Mai
Chau is rated by tourists as one of the most attractive resorts with new
experiences.
Vice Chairman of the communal People’s Committee Ha Van Hung said over the past
time, local residents have tapped existing potential and advantages to develop
tourism, including community-based tourism. To sustainably develop tourism, the
communal Party Committee and authorities have worked out detailed plans which
define tourism as one of the spearhead economic sectors./.
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.
