(HBO) – Untouched rustic Mai Hich commune, which is emblazoned with ripen rice terraces surrounded by mountain ranges and trails covered by white smoke streaking from local houses’ roofs, has grown in stature among domestic and international visitors in recent years.
Photo:
Homestay Minh Tho in Hich 2 village, Mai Hich commune (Mai Chau district) is a
favourable accommodation among travel companies.
Community-based
tourism has undergone positive changes and brought stable income to local
people. There are seven households offering homestay services and three
villages developing community-based tourism, comprising Hich 1, Hich 2 and Cha
Lang. In the first half of the year, the commune welcomed over 1,600 visitors, 900
of whom are foreigners, and raked in nearly 600 million VND in tourism revenue.
The commune has mobilised locals to promote community-based tourism after
seeing its economic benefits. It has also asked the locals to pay attention to
ensuring environmental hygiene to lure more holiday-makers to the locality.
Connections between villages and tourist attractions help visitors have
brilliant experience during their stay.
Ha Cong Minh, a homestay owner in Hich 2 village, said: "How to make tourists
feel comfortable and enjoyable is what we care. We have teamed up with travel
agents to set up tours for visitors to go sightseeing, enjoy stunning views of
waterfalls and landscape of rural areas as well as involve in local activities
like rice harvesting, fishing, brocading and experience traditional dishes and
cultural exchange.
The Centre for Community Health and Development (COHED) has supported homestay
service providers in Hich 2 village with necessary skills and knowledge as well
as capital to develop community-based tourism since 2010. The commune is home
to 120 Thai ethnic families, who have preserved nearly 90 percent of their
traditional stilt houses.
Bestowed with natural landscapes and tourism investment, coupled with local
hospitality, Mai Hich has become an attractive draw for tourists to discover
spectacular sceneries and ethnic traditional culture. It is expected to make
community-based tourism a major currency earner of the commune./.
As the new year begins and festive spirit fills the air, visitors flock to Hoa Binh lake, often dubbed the "Ha Long Bay on land," to enjoy its breathtaking beauty and serene atmosphere. In spring, the lake comes alive with lush greenery and delicate blossoms, while boats carrying eager tourists glide across its tranquil waters.
With effective business operations, significant increases in the number of visitors at weekends and on public holidays, and being listed among the 71 most beautiful places to visit worldwide by the prestigious US travel magazine Condé Nast Traveller, Hoa Binh’s tourism is "spreading its wings" on its journey towards the targets of welcoming 4.9 million visitors, including 1 million foreigners, and achieving total tourism revenue of 5.4 trillion VND (211.89 million USD) in 2025.
On February 21, the Provincial People's Committee held a conference to implement the tourism plan in 2025 and meet with tourism businesses operating in the province. The event was chaired by Mr. Nguyen Van Toan, the Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee and the Head of the Provincial Tourism Steering Committee.
Tien Pagoda is located in the valley of Lao Noi and Lao Ngoai villages, Phu Nghia commune, Lac Thuy district; it is surrounded by two mountain ranges stretching like two giant dragons reaching for the blue sky. Every year, when spring comes, thousands of Buddhists and tourists from all over the country make a pilgrimage to Tien Pagoda. The relic complex of Tien Pagoda is ranked as a national relic by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism with 21 relic sites of many types: historical and cultural relics, scenic relics, and archaeological relics.
Cao Phong has paid due attention to developing tourism, creating impetus for socio-economic development towards completing the targets set in the resolution of the district’s 28th Party Congress for the 2020-2025 tenure.
A great number of visitors have flocked to tourist attractions in Hoa Binh province in the first lunar month every year to admire the beautiful scenery, fully enjoy the spring atmosphere, and immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere in many localities.
