HBO – Da Bac district in Hoa Binh province boasts unique cultural and historical tradition, pristine forests, beautiful landscapes, spectacular mountains, numerous caves, streams and waterfalls. It has been included in the plan to build the Hoa Binh Reservoir National Tourist Area. These offer opportunities for the district to develop various forms of tourism, contributing to sustainable economic restructuring and improving the living conditions of local people.
People in Sung hamlet, Cao Son commune (Da Bac) introduce their special food at the 2017 northwestern region community-based tourism village festival in Mai Chau district
Da Bac district boasts its great tourism resources. Its Hoa Binh reservoir has many big and small islands and peaceful bays, which are attractive to tourists. Phu Canh pristine forest, spanning over the communes of Dong Ruong, Doan Ket and Dong Chum, houses valuable timber and animals. Lo Lan cave in the Bieu mountain nature reserve in Hien Luong commune is bestowed with temperate climate, filled with fog all year around. Bo Temple is a well-known spiritual tourism site. The district is also home to Muong, Dao and Tay ethnic minority groups with their own cultural identities, offering chances for tourists to explore and experience local lives.
Nguyen Van Hien, head of the district’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said Da Bac has developed a resolution on tourism development through 2030, as Hoa Binh reservoir is planned to be a national tourist area.
Publicity campaigns have been conducted to promote the Hoa Binh reservoir national tourist site while encouraging locals to preserve the cultural identities, protect the environment and enhance their hospitality kills.
Numerous local firms have showed their interest in tourism projects around Hoa Binh reservoir. A number of community-based tourism models have been established and operated effectively, such as Ke hamlet, Hien Luong commune; Da Bia hamlet, Tien Phong commune; and Sung hamlet in Cao Son commune.
Sung hamlet is one of the attractive homestay destinations in the district, involving 376 people of 71 households. All of them are Dao ethnic minorities. With beautiful landscapes and locals’ plentiful daily activities and delicious food, the hamlet has lured crowds of visitors. Sung hamlet is around 21 km from Da Bac township. Visitors can also take a boat to Ke hamlet in Hien Luong commune and then walk for 18km to Cao Son commune, contemplating Bieu mountain, Lo Lan cave, pristine forests and yellow rice fields on the way.
In Sung hamlet, tourists can engage in locals’ daily activities such as farming, fishing, dancing and sports games; or taste their traditional food such as chicken, fish and wine.
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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