The attraction of the community based tourism villages in the Northwest

Located on the rugged and craggy terrain on the remote mountain peaks, the community-based tourism villages of the Northwestern ethnic groups have a special attraction. That attraction is due to the unique cultural features of the ethnic minorities, in part due to the difference in the construction of tourism products.

Tourists make bonfires and experience a hot dance at Surf village. Strength of community tourism Lao Chai 1 Community Tourism Village (Khum Ha Commune, Tam Duong District, Lai Chau Province) is located in the middle of the mountain, a great challenge for first-time visitors because of the “crab-sleeve” slopes. But arriving, the close and friendly natural space, especially the orchid flower, makes visitors quickly forget the feeling of “suffocating” of the way up the mountain. Perhaps that is why, for a long time, Lao Chai 1 village has been named quite nicely by many tourists – “Garden of Eden”. The head of Cu A Chu village enthusiastically introduced, the whole village has 39 households of H’Mong ethnicity, of which 5 households are homestay households, more than 10 households raise livestock, the rest grow vegetables, trees, and orchids to serving tourists and beautifying the landscape and environment in the village. “All streets in the village, flower miniatures are contributed by the people to do. We divide into 4 groups, take turns cleaning every day. The fresh environment makes not only visitors like it, but also them. I also find my life happier, “said Mr. Xu A Chu. Not far from Lao Chai 1 village is Si Thau Chai village of the Dao ethnic group. Si Thau Chai is only 6km from Tam Duong town (Tam Duong district, Lai Chau province) but located on a mountain at an altitude of 1,400m above sea level. Here, visitors can enjoy the panoramic view of the vast and majestic mountains. With this charming beauty, Si Thau Chai village is the destination that attracts many groups of traveling tourists, caravan tour groups to experience. The village head, Si Thau Chai – Lu A Nghi, said that the village started to work in community tourism in 2017, in the village, there are currently 10 households working as a homestay. Since welcoming tourists, the Dao people in the village are very conscious of preserving the landscape. Besides planting perennial crops such as peaches, pears, and plums, households also plant roses around the house. “We have had a better life when doing tourism. Dao people still try to keep their identity, wear traditional costumes to welcome guests,” said Mr. Lu A Nghi. Si Thau Chai Community-Tourism Village (Lai Chau) planted many trees and roses. Not only in Lai Chau, many Northwest provinces also consider the community based tourism a tourism strength that needs to be developed. Surf village (Ngoc Chien commune, Muong La district, Son La province) is one of the community based tourism villages in the Northwest attracting many tourists. The feature here is that the white Thai community knows how to take advantage of the natural hot springs and culinary quintessence to draw visitors to experience. Mr. Lo Van Phang, the owner of a homestay facility in Surf village, shared that his establishment welcomes tourists from August 2020, in the first stage of difficulties due to the influence of Covid-19, but at the end of the year. , the number of arrivals is large, must book in advance to have a place to stay. “Everything to us was a surprise, but people understand very well, when doing tourism, you need to learn how to do services, work more disciplined”, Mr. Lo Van Phang said. The scenery in Si Thau Chai village is quite charming, the environment is clean and beautiful. Keep identity, increase travel route connection Currently, one of the raised issues is how to keep people cultural identity as well as increase connectivity between destinations in order to develop community tourism in the Northwest in a long term. Tam Duong Tan Thi Que District Party Secretary admitted that there are many ethnic groups living in the district such as Thai, Dao, Mong, Lu …, in which, many villages have lost their own culture. “We always send officers to each propaganda to preserve identity, regularly wear national costumes, promote culinary quintessence and folk dance, folk dance”, said Ms. Tan Thi Que. Lao Chai 1 village (Lai Chau) of the H’Mong people also attracts tourists because of its fresh environment and many green trees. To promote tourism development, the Northwest provinces have links with many Hanoi travel agencies to conduct product survey and construction trips. Chairman of the Hanoi Travel Association, Director of Hanoitourist Travel Company Phung Quang Thang, said that when translating Covid-19 affects the tourism industry, Hanoi visitors experience Northwest tourism quite a lot, contributing to the market. The tourist school has a certain bustle. “However, the development of tourism in the highlands still needs a methodical orientation and a closer connection with the travel agencies to introduce visitors to the experience,” said Mr. Phung Quang Thang. Over the years, Hanoi and the Northwest provinces have closely linked to making tourism products, in which the community based tourism is a highlight. Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Tourism Tran Trung Hieu said that the connection between tourist regions, including Hanoi and the Northwest, creates a vibrant tourist market, but localities need a tourism strategy. in the long term, guide and train people in upland areas to become a sustainable product for community based tourism.