(HBO) - Covering more than 6,000 ha, Thuong Tien Nature Reserve spreads across the three communes of Kim Tien, Thuong Tien (Kim Boi district), and Quy Hoa (Lac Son district). Thuong Tien commune lies in a core zone of more than 5,000 ha. Khu hamlet, inhabited by the Muong ethnic group, has the largest wild forested area in the province.
Thuong Tien Nature Reserve with Khu stream.
The distance from the
headquarters of the People’s Committee of Thuong Tien commune to Khu hamlet is
over 5 km. After half an hour of travel, the hamlet appears amongst the green
terraced fields. From Khu hamlet, we started our journey exploring Thuong Tien Nature
Reserve. Lined along both sides of the road are majestic, old trees – most of which
would take two or three people to wrap their arms around the base.
An hour later, we were about 2 km deep into the
forest and found a large rocky area with huge stones. This was the Khu stream. It
is interesting to note that many parts of the area have quite flat sand banks,
suitable for camping or putting up a tent to stay overnight. There are also
some sections of the stream blocked by large stones, creating deep rock pools
which are dozens of square metres wide. Local people have come to describe them
as natural pools in the forest.
Despite her exhaustion, Bui Kim Thanh from Ha Bi commune (Kim Boi) said she was
very impressed with this experience.She said: "This is the first time I’ve been
to the Thuong Tien Nature Reserve. I am impressed by its stunning scenery with
a beautiful stream in the middle of the primeval forest. Once it receives proper
investment, the reserve will undoubtedly become an attractive tourism spot.”
We
stopped at a flat rocky area near Khu stream, with ancient trees lining the two
banks. The water is so clear that the riverbed can be seen from above. We had the
chance to enjoy grilled fish, grilled chicken, and some jungle-grown vegetables.
We did not need to bring along chopsticks, spoons, or cups for drinking wine
with as these were all sourced by finding nature’s crockery solutions in the
forest.
We had a talk with some of the local residents who expressed their hope that
the reserve will soon become a tourism site, helping to alleviate poverty in
the area.
Bui
Thi Hai, Secretary of the Thuong Tien commune youth union said: "Many people
have visited and explored the primitive
and stunning beauty of the Thuong Tien Nature Reserve. People living in the
commune have faced a range of difficulties as they completely rely on
agriculture with low earnings. Therefore, tourism development would help them
raise their incomes and living standards.”
The
Hoa Binh provincial People’s Committee aims to develop tourism at the Thuong
Tien Nature Reserve. Currently, the commune is making efforts to restore and
develop local specialties, preserve and promote the traditional culture of the
Muong ethnic group, and continue to coordinate with the management board of the
reserve to improve works in forest protection.
Nguyen
Ngoc Thuy, Chairwoman of the People’s Committee of Thuong Tien commune said: "The
provincial People’s Committee has plans to develop tourism at the reserve.
Thuong Tien commune is working hard to restore and develop local specialties,
preserve and promote traditional culture of Muong people, and better forest
protection works.”
Covering an area of over 52,000 hectares spanning districts of Mai Chau, Tan Lac, Cao Phong, Da Bac, and Hoa Binh City, Hoa Binh lake has strong potential for tourism development. In recent years, thanks to the attention of local Party Committees and authorities as well as support from international organisations, the advantages of tourism in the lake area have been utilised.
Mai Chau is a mountainous district and home to many ethnic groups such as Thai, Muong, Kinh, Mong, Dao, and Tay with distinctive cultural identities, creating a diverse and unique cultural treasure. Aware of its advantages, the district has paid attention to the preservation and promotion of ethnic groups’ cultural values so that culture will become a leverage for tourism and contribute to socio-economic development and life quality improvement.
According to the Hoa Binh provincial Department of Planning and Investment, in Hoa Binh Lake tourist area, there are currently 16 licensed or certified service, cultural and tourism investment projects with a land use area of about 1,444 hectares, and a total capital of over 3.3 trillion VND (133.5 million USD). In addition to investment attraction, the province is speeding up the implementation of projects so as to realise a goal of developing Hoa Binh Lake tourist area into a national one.
These days, tourist attractions in Mai Chau district, especially those highlighted by the charming and romantic white Ban (Bauhinia) flower blossoms, are attracting a large number of visitors from across the country. Visiting these sites, tourists can immerse themselves in the pristine and majestic beauty of nature.
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