(HBO) - Hoa Binh reservoir in the northern province of Hoa Binh has a capacity of more than 9 billion m3 and rich aquatic resources. The area is considered a precious treasure of aquatic life, and it is likened to Ha Long Bay on land, attracting a large number of tourists
In 2016, the Prime Minister approved a master plan to develop the reservoir into a national tourism area until 2030. Taking advantages of the water surface and majestic natural landscape, many local households have developed fish cage farming associated with tourism development, bringing high economic efficiency.
Homestay of Nguyen Van Binh’s family in Thai Binh ward of Hoa Binh city.
Nguyen Van Binh in Thai Binh ward of Hoa Binh city has been engaged in fishing and cage farming for more than two decades on the lake. Currently, his family has seven cages for raising fish, mainly salmon, perch and carp. However, in recent years, when the market has begun to saturate and especially due to impacts of the COVID-19 epidemic in 2021 – 2022, affecting fish prices, Binh decided to turn his fish raft into a floating homestay to serve tourists. On average, his homestay welcomes some 400 visitors a month in summer, helping to generate a stable source of income.
In recent years, many households in the area have developed the model of fish cage farming in combination with eco-tourism development. Currently, nearly 20 households in Voi and Thau residential areas and some hamlets in the lake-bed area of Thung Nai (Cao Phong), Vay Nua, Tien Phong (Da Bac) communes have registered to operate this type of business.
There are now nearly 5,000 fish cages in the Hoa Binh hydropower reservoir, with an average annual output of nearly 10,000 tonnes. Fish cage farming associated with tourism development is currently the direction many households are aiming to awaken the potential and strengths of the Hoa Binh lake.
According to Nguyen Huy Nhuan, Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, in order to both sustainably develop the fishery industry and tourism in the area, the department has directed the Fisheries Sub-Department to guide fish cage households and communes continue to develop effectively breeding of aquatic species with economic values associated with ecological environment protection. In particular, households are asked to focus on specialty fish in the lake, and apply VietGAP farming process, science and technology to aquaculture production in order to increase added valuesand reduce costs.
The province has also encouraged and supported the development of aquaculture in association with tourism, educational activities, eco-tourism and sightseeing tours./.
In the first 9 months of 2024, Hoa Binh province continues to implement the expanded tourism development cooperation program plan of 8 Northwest provinces with Ho Chi Minh City; deploying digital transformation content in tourism and developing a smart tourism province. Hoa Binh province received about 3.6 million views, an increase of 7.9% over the same period. In which, international visitors are about 380 visitors, domestic visitors are estimated at 3 million 220 visitors.
Spanning thousands of hectares and winding gracefully along mountain slopes, hillsides, and riverbanks, the terraced rice fields of Lac Son District present a stunning and captivating beauty. This region, renowned for its remarkable terraced landscapes, is also the centre of Hoa Binh Culture known for numerous archaeological sites.
The life of Mong people in Hang Kia and Pa Co communes of Mai Chau district has improved much thanks to tourism development.
The man-made Hoa Binh Lake, with a water surface area of approximately 9,000 hectares and a capacity of 9.45 billion cubic meters, stretches over 200 kilometers from Hoa Binh to Son La provinces. With the goal of developing into a national tourism area, the Hoa Binh Lake tourism area is expected to not only become the largest tourism centre in the province but also one of the 12 key tourist destinations in the northern midland and mountainous region of Vietnam.
Da Bia hamlet, now Duc Phong, in Tien Phong commune, Da Bac district, was once almost isolated from the outside as the only way to the hamlet was to get a boat ride across the Hoa Binh reservoir. However, as its tourism potential has been unleashed, the hamlet has established itself as one of the most attractive destinations on the tourism map. It has even received the ASEAN Community-Based Tourism Awards in 2019.
In the first 9 months of 2024, Mai Chau district, Hoa Binh province welcomed over 684 thousand visitors to visit and relax. In which, over 516 thousand domestic visitors and more than 168 thousand international visitors. Total revenue from tourism is estimated at over 821 billion VND.
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