Impressive golden season in Tam Coc

Located within the Tam Coc-Bich Dong tourist area, the Tam Coc rice fields are a masterpiece of nature and man, creating a serene beauty through the harmonious blend of vast land and sky and the fruits of human labor. Unlike the wild and majestic beauty of the terraced rice fields in the Northwest mountainous region, the Tam Coc rice fields offer a gentle, poetic beauty, winding with rivers, mountains, and clouds, reminiscent of the Northern Delta.

Every year, when the rice fields on both sides of the Ngo Dong River turn golden, Ninh Binh also inaugurates its Tourism Week with many unique and attractive cultural and artistic activities.

In 2018, Ninh Binh Tourism Week was held for the first time to honor the unique natural landscapes and distinctive culture of the ancient capital of Hoa Lu. At the same time, the event served as a promotional activity to introduce Ninh Binh's tourism products and services to domestic and international tourists; further affirming Ninh Binh's brand and position as a safe, friendly, high-quality, and attractive tourist destination.

After being interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, this event has now become an attractive annual tourism activity, eagerly awaited by many domestic and international tourists. The Ninh Binh Tourism Week, themed "The Golden Colors of Tam Coc-Trang An," has created a positive effect, attracting tens of thousands of visitors to destinations throughout the province, contributing to stimulating tourism in Ninh Binh during the off-season.

This year, building upon existing activities, Ninh Binh has introduced many innovations and creative approaches to enrich experiential activities and tourism products, creating a positive impression on visitors. A highlight of this year's Tourism Week is the mural "Shepherd Playing the Flute," covering nearly 10,000 square meters at the entrance to Hai Cave, in the Tam Coc rice fields.

"The artwork on the rice fields in Tam Coc is inspired by the Dong Ho folk painting 'Shepherd Playing the Flute,' a famous painting that vividly portrays the colors of the old Northern Delta. This image is familiar to the childhood of many Vietnamese people. The painting is meant to honor the cultural and religious values ​​of the ancient capital region. The buffalo, considered the 'foundation of livelihood,' is very important to farmers and also represents the gentleness and diligence of the farmers. In addition, the painting expresses the people's wish for favorable weather, fertile land, and harmonious human relations, resulting in a bountiful harvest," shared Mr. Hoang Thanh Phong, from the Tam Coc Tourist Area Management Board.

This year's "Golden Colors of Tam Coc-Trang An" program also features many new and unique elements, such as: the ceremony of worshipping the God of Agriculture and celebrating the new rice harvest... recreated with the participation of more than 2,000 people from the core heritage area and nearly 200 "ancient buffaloes" representing Vietnam's rice-based agricultural civilization. For the first time in Ninh Binh, visitors can admire and participate in the procession of 63 boats carrying offerings, including characteristic products from various regions across the country, to the God of Agriculture.

Following the path along the Ngo Dong River, bathed in golden rice paddies, is a live performance recreating ancient farming methods, the rice production process of the Vietnamese people, the harvest festival, and rituals honoring the God of Agriculture, all deeply rooted in traditional culture. This event also serves to express gratitude to the God of Agriculture for granting the people a bountiful rice harvest and to celebrate the beauty of farming in the Northern Delta region in general and Ninh Binh in particular.

Along with experiential activities and new tourism products, Ninh Binh Tourism Week 2024 will feature many attractive and unique cultural and artistic activities such as: the Opening Ceremony of Ninh Binh Tourism Week 2024; pedestrian street activities; performances and exhibitions of the province's OCOP products and traditional handicrafts; Tam Coc Golden Season photography tour; a program to survey and introduce Ninh Binh tourism products; an art photography exhibition with the theme "Tam Coc-Trang An Golden Season"; a goat fighting competition; and various folk art and cultural programs, water puppetry, Cheo singing, Xam singing, and folk songs from the three regions of Vietnam...

With sunny and favorable weather, golden ripe rice fields, and the allure of cultural and artistic activities, the Ninh Binh Tourism Week 2024 attracted thousands of tourists on its first day.

Ms. Luong Thi Hanh, a tourist from Hanoi, shared: "This is the third time my family and I have visited and experienced Ninh Binh Tourism Week. Although it's an annual event, each year Ninh Binh Tourism Week brings my family unique, novel, and fascinating experiences. This year, I was particularly impressed with the distinctive cultural atmosphere of the Tam Coc-Trang An Golden Festival. It was a truly unforgettable experience for me and my family. I believe that with the innovation of tourism programs and products, the 'Tam Coc-Trang An Golden Festival' will continue to solidify its brand and attract domestic and international tourists."

For Antony, a tourist from England, the appeal of Tam Coc comes from its pristine yet majestic beauty of mountains and rivers harmoniously combined with golden rice fields cultivated and cared for by local farmers. "The scenery and atmosphere of Tam Coc are beautiful, and the people are gentle, friendly, and hospitable. After my visit, I will share these wonderful images of Ninh Binh with my family and friends. I will definitely return to continue exploring the beauty of nature and culture here…" – Antony shared.

During Ninh Binh Tourism Week in 2023, the province welcomed 172,600 visitors, more than double the number in 2022; of which, over 30,000 were international tourists; and 72,300 visited the Tam Coc-Trang An area. With its natural beauty of green mountains, white clouds, and golden rice fields, along with many cultural and artistic activities and unique tourism products, it is expected that during the 8-day Ninh Binh Tourism Week in 2024, the province will attract approximately 300,000 visitors, a 75% increase compared to the same period last year.

By refreshing its tourism activities and products, Ninh Binh Tourism Week is proving to be a major attraction for domestic and international tourists, thereby contributing to stimulating tourism demand during the off-season, increasing revenue, and helping to realize the goal of making Ninh Binh tourism a key economic sector.

Hong Giang

Source: https://baoninhbinh.org.vn/an-tuong-mua-vang-tam-coc/d20240602220955366.htm