Preserving and promoting highland cultural values ​​to develop sustainable tourism

Cao Bo, a commune in Vi Xuyen district ( Ha Giang ) is not only famous for its majestic natural landscape but is also home to many ethnic minorities with unique traditional cultural values.

Preserving and promoting these cultural values ​​in the context of tourism development is an important task to improve people's lives and preserve the cultural identity here.

Traditional cultural values

Cao Bo commune is a place where the cultures of ethnic groups such as Mong, Tay, Dao meet. The customs, festivals, and folk arts here bear a strong historical and community spirit. Traditional festivals such as Lunar New Year, Harvest Festival, and artistic activities such as love songs and bamboo dance not only show the richness of local culture but also attract the attention of tourists.

The Dao people in Cao Bo still preserve their traditional identity through their costumes.

In order to develop tourism associated with preserving traditional culture, the Party Committee and government of Cao Bo commune have focused on propagating and mobilizing people to raise awareness of environmental protection; implementing model roads, planting landscape trees and installing solar energy lighting systems in Lung Tao village.

Regularly clear and repair the trail to the 2,428m high point to facilitate tourists' visits. There is a plan to build traditional houses, display living utensils and local products, and preserve the rich cultural identity of the Dao ethnic group. Actively mobilize resources, build transport infrastructure, and create momentum for tourism development.

In particular, Cao Bo commune also attracts tourists by the unique traditional culture of the Dao ethnic group, which accounts for over 95% of the commune's population. The Dao people in Cao Bo still preserve their traditional identity through costumes, festivals, cuisine , folk songs, and folk dances. With rituals such as the Harvest Prayer Ceremony, the Cap Sac Ceremony, etc., and culinary dishes imbued with local identity such as smoked buffalo meat, hung pork, pickled bamboo shoots with bream, and traditional cakes, they become important highlights to attract tourists.

Lung Tao cultural tourism village, Cao Bo commune, Vi Xuyen district.

Sustainable tourism development

To promote traditional cultural values ​​associated with sustainable tourism development, Cao Bo commune needs to develop experiential tourism programs, allowing visitors to participate in cultural activities such as making traditional dishes, participating in festivals, and learning about the lives of indigenous people. Creating community tours not only helps preserve culture but also creates a sustainable source of income for the people.

In recent years, the Dao people have gradually learned to do tourism, boldly renovating their houses, buying necessary items to invest in homestay services, serving tourists with meals and accommodation right in their family's traditional stilt houses.

Mr. Dang Van Dung, Lung Tao village, Cao Bo commune, Vi Xuyen district, said: A few years ago, seeing that there were quite a lot of tourists coming to visit, my family boldly opened a homestay service to serve the needs of tourists for food and rest. Currently, there are about 10 households in the village providing homestay services. In addition to food and rest services, the village art troupe is always ready to participate in performing traditional folk songs of the nation, meeting the needs of tourists to experience the culture.

A house in Lung Tao village was renovated by locals into a homestay.

"Tourists coming to Lung Tao village really like to experience mountain climbing on the way to conquer Tay Con Linh peak; in addition to running homestays for tourists to sleep and rest, villagers also have extra income by leading groups and carrying luggage for tourists to the top of Tay Con Linh. Thanks to that, villagers have more income, improving their lives," Mr. Dung shared.

Challenges and solutions

Despite the great potential, the preservation of traditional culture in tourism development also faces many challenges. The introduction of modern culture and pressure from tourism can degrade cultural identity. To overcome this, there needs to be close coordination between local authorities, non-governmental organizations and the community. Training courses should be organized to raise awareness among people about their cultural values, as well as guide them in developing tourism in a sustainable way.

Mr. Dang Van Dung (sitting inside), Lung Tao village, Cao Bo commune, Vi Xuyen district, shares about tea products made by the Dao ethnic people.

Talking to Dan Viet Newspaper reporter, Mr. Dang Van Chung, Chairman of Cao Bo Commune People's Committee, Vi Xuyen District said: The commune is located on the route to conquer Tay Con Linh peak, known as the roof of the Northeast region with an altitude of 2,428 m above sea level. Tourists will be able to go through the forest, under the canopy of ancient trees and through many winding slopes. While walking, you can admire the scenery along the road, hunt for clouds, see ancient peach and pear trees and rhododendron forests blooming with flowers, below are cardamom and rare beautiful vegetation.

With vast primeval forests and rich vegetation, it creates great potential for ecotourism and adventure tourism. These potentials are a great advantage for the locality in preserving and promoting the traditional cultural values ​​of ethnic minorities associated with tourism development...

"Tay Con Linh peak is truly a must-see destination for tourists who love to experience and explore the wild beauty of the mountains and forests. The Party Committee and the commune government have coordinated with the functional forces to clear the trail and plan to build a sightseeing stop on the top of the mountain for the convenience of tourists. Since the beginning of the year, the number of tourists to Cao Bo commune is estimated at over 9,565, reaching 95.7% of the yearly plan," Mr. Chung added.

Preserving and promoting the traditional cultural values ​​of ethnic minorities associated with tourism development in Cao Bo commune is a journey that requires consensus from all sides. When culture is preserved and honored, not only tourists can experience new things, but the local community will also benefit from the economic and social values ​​that tourism brings. Thereby, Cao Bo commune can become an attractive destination, attracting not only domestic but also international tourists, contributing to enhancing the cultural image of the northern mountainous region.

Source: https://danviet.vn/ha-giang-bao-ton-phat-huy-nhung-gia-tri-van-hoa-vung-cao-de-phat-trien-du-lich-ben-vung-20241112080352039.htm