Besides community-based tourism, communes in the lake area of Cao Phong districts boasts huge potential to develop resort- and eco-tourism. Local spiritual tourism, particularly, has been appealing to visitors from far and wide.
Thung Nai port in Cao Phong
district.
According to Chairwoman of the Thung Nai commune
People’s Committee Bui Thi Luyen, Thung Nai port, with wharf and waiting lounge
upgraded and tourism services improved, is an important port to bring visitors
to the Hoa Binh Lake Tourist Area.
A 20-minute boat ride will take tourists to the
Thac Bo Temple, a renowned spiritual destination where they pray for good luck
and prosperity, and enjoy picturesque landscapes. Domestic and foreign tourists have flocked to Mo
hamlet in Binh Thanh commune, Cao Phong district, to experience tranquil
lifestyle and discover the architecture of the Muong ethnics’ traditional stilt
house.
Many tourists stop by the community-based
tourism sites in Mo hamlet, Binh Thanh commune, and Tien hamlet in Thung Nai
commune to explore local culture and feel the beat of the tranquil lifestyle
there. My Anh, a representative from a travel firm in
Hanoi, said her business has introduced and developed diversified tours to the
Hoa Binh Lake Tourist Area, with those to the Muong Ethnic Group Cultural Space
Museum in Hoa Binh city and the community-based tourism sites in Thung Nai and
Binh Thanh communes favoured by tourists. Well-preserved traditional stilt house, stunning
scenes and standout cultural experience have made the communes attractive to
visitors.
Notably, development of transport infrastructure
and wharves have helped Hoa Binh attract capital to build accommodations and
tourism offerings in the Hoa Binh Lake area. Many corporations have studied, surveyed and
landed high-quality resort and eco-tourism investment in the two communes.
Notably, the five-star Parahills resort, developed by Beru Group joint Stock
Company, has been recently put into operation in Binh Thanh commune. Together with other tourism projects being
carried out, the resort is expected to contribute to elevating local tourism
profile.
According to head of the Culture-Information
bureau of Cao Phong district Pham Ngoc Nhat, developing the resort- and
eco-tourism, spiritual tourism and community-based tourism is a bold step to
diversify offerings to attract visitors, thus helping improve sustainable local
livelihoods and create jobs for local workers and promote growth for the Hoa
Binh Tourist Lake Area.
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.
Currently, in the region of Mong ethnic people, Hang Kia commune (Mai Chau) is exploiting the community tourism activities relatively effectively. The tourism economy has been sustainably developing, basing on the potential and advantages of the natural resources and traditional cultural identity. The model is increasingly being replicated, creating changes in awareness, and contributing to the progressive changes in people's lives.