Preserving and promoting traditional cultural values ​​in green tourism development

Ban But, Nam Xuan commune (Quan Hoa) with attractive "green experiences".

In the context of sustainable development becoming the main direction of Vietnam's tourism industry, green tourism has emerged as an inevitable requirement - where economic development goes hand in hand with environmental protection and cultural identity preservation. Not out of the general development trend, localities in Thanh Hoa province increasingly pay attention to preserving and promoting traditional cultural values ​​associated with building and positioning product brands and tourist destinations. The most prominent are community ecotourism products in the mountainous districts of Ba Thuoc, Lang Chanh, Thuong Xuan, Quan Hoa... Although it is a "latecomer" product, community ecotourism has now affirmed its position as one of the three main tourism products of the province, along with sea tourism and cultural tourism products.

Although Ban But, Nam Xuan Commune (Quan Hoa), has only been exploited and developed for tourism since 2019, this destination has left many impressions in the hearts of domestic and international tourists. This place is likened to a beautiful picture, where eco-tourism and indigenous culture are harmoniously combined. But village chief Ha Cong Chuc shared: “With the direction and guidance of all levels, But village has focused on developing community ecotourism. Some households have renovated traditional stilt houses into homestays, organizing experiential activities for tourists such as: performing arts, brocade weaving, rowing on Pha Day lake, exploring Thai cuisine ... Since doing community tourism, local people have increasingly paid attention to preserving traditional culture, from costumes to daily activities. Many young people have actively learned brocade weaving, xoè dance, khập singing, and stir-frying... to serve tourism activities. The culture of the Thai people in But village is now not only something ancient but also a priceless resource, accompanying people on the journey to build attractive tourist destinations and develop the socio-economy".

Along with the community tourism villages in the West of Thanh Hoa, traditional culture is identified by Tho Xuan district as a core value, helping each destination and tourism product build its own brand value. From this orientation, the district has been implementing many policies to preserve cultural heritage associated with the development of green and sustainable tourism. One of the highlights in the district's cultural treasure is the system of 256 locations and relics that have been inventoried (including 2 special national relics; 4 national relics and relic clusters), associated with a rich and diverse system of intangible cultural heritage. From 2023 to present, the district has 3 relics with a master plan for conservation, restoration, and promotion of value; 4 relics have been restored, restored and approved for investment; the province is proposing to approve the investment policy of the Can Long Palace relic and Truong Luu Merit Stele (Nam Giang commune); 5 relic sites have completed standard auxiliary works to meet the needs of tourists; Le Hoan Temple Festival and 4 intangible cultural heritages, traditional folk games and performances (Xuan Pha, Pon Pong, gongs, and mam beating) are supported with funding to preserve and promote their values... With the attention of all levels, sectors, and the participation of the locality and community, Tho Xuan has now become one of the attractive cultural tourism destinations of the province, with a variety of "green experiences" loved by tourists.

Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism (DOCST) Vuong Thi Hai Yen affirmed: "Entering a new development stage, the "smokeless industry" of Thanh Hoa province considers green tourism as the main development axis. Traditional culture is the core to create unique and distinctive tourism products. In recent times, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has always accompanied and encouraged localities in the work of preserving and exploiting traditional cultural values ​​to develop sustainable tourism; at the same time supporting human resource training, promoting tourism products... In addition, the province also encourages travel businesses to build green tourism itineraries; "green investment" destinations and focus on preserving cultural heritage in tourism activities".

In response to practical requirements, Thanh Hoa province has been making efforts to develop a variety of green tourism products and green destinations associated with preserving and promoting traditional cultural values. In particular, promoting the digitalization of heritage, building a digital tourism map, and developing an online platform to promote cultural and tourism products are also among the solutions being implemented. With the participation of all levels, sectors, businesses and the community, Thanh Hoa is aiming to become a "green destination" - where culture and nature blend together, contributing to "Developing green destinations, elevating Vietnamese tourism".

Article and photos: Le Anh

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/bao-ton-va-phat-huy-gia-tri-van-hoa-truyen-thong-trong-phat-trien-du-lich-xanh-249708.htm