With a rich history of traditional culture, ethnic groups in Da Bac district, Hoa Binh province still retain their own cultural identity values such as dialect languages, traditional festivals, costumes, among others. These are favourable conditions for the locals to preserve, conserve and promote traditional cultural values while building attractive and diverse tourism products to attract tourists and bolster local socio-economic development.
Tourists in costumes of Dao ethnic people in Cao Son
commune, Da Bac district.
Sung hamlet, Cao Son commune is one of hamlets that keeps almost intact the
lifestyle, customs, and cultural identity of local Dao Tien ethnic group in Da
Bac. Dialect language, food and handicraft trades have been preserved and
maintained in their daily life.
Since tourism has been promoted in the locality, local Dao ethnic people have
selected some handicraft trades to develop them into tourism products such as
brocade weaving.
Residents in Sung hamlet have invested in building a spacious hamlet while
maintaining a clean landscape and environment over the years. Homestays are
well-invested, and more services have been introduced to meet the sightseeing
and relaxation demand of tourists.
In recent times, the hamlet has restored the craft of making Do paper, helping
tourists to learn and understand about the trade while contributing to
increasing incomes for local ethnic residents.
In addition, folk dances, such as bell, sword and lantern dances, and some
unique rites in ritual ceremonies or the use of khen (panpipe) music
instrument, among others have been added in art programmes to serve tourists.
Ban Kim Quy, Vice Chairman of the Da Bac District People's Committee, said
thanks to the promotion of traditional folk materials, art performances have
received warm response from tourists. Community-based tourism has been formed
and developed, attracting many tourists every year, contributing to poverty
reduction, and improving the locals' life.
In community-based tourism sites in the district, in addtion to promoting
traditional materials to develop tourism products, more attention has been paid
to the practice ofcultural heritage in the community toward sustainable
tourism development.
National cultural identity has become resources for community-based tourism
development. On the contrary, the more tourism develops, the more people are
encouraged to preserve their traditional cultural heritage, she added.
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.