Unlocking the tourism potential of Loc Binh

Boasting the mist-shrouded Mau Son peak, the crystal-clear Ban Khieng waterfall, and traditional houses with earthen walls reflecting the passage of time, Loc Binh district has long been known as one of the "golden locations" on the Lang Son tourism map. However, to develop to its full potential, Loc Binh is like a rough gem that needs polishing.

FAVORABLE CONDITIONS

Known as the "Roof of the Northeast" with its Mẫu Sơn peak and the mysterious legends of the Father and Mother mountains, visitors to Lộc Bình will be overwhelmed by the challenge of "riding a dinosaur" amidst the clouds of Lạng Sơn province. From the gentle slopes of the hills at the foot of Mẫu Sơn mountain, following a path lined with ancient trees and thick layers of decaying leaves, after about two hours of walking, the majestic and pristine "Phia Pò Dinosaur Backbone" will unfold before your eyes.

According to Ms. Tran Thi Bich Hanh, Deputy Director of the Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion Center of Lang Son province, trekking, conceived and developed since 2019, has now become a unique form of tourism, attracting thousands of visitors every year. At an altitude of 800-1,000m above sea level, around the third lunar month, the slopes of Mau Son mountain range burst into bloom with more than 20 species of rhododendrons, creating vibrant and captivating patches of color.

As home to six ethnic groups such as the Tay, Nung, Dao, and San Chi, developing tourism in conjunction with preserving cultural heritage values ​​has been identified by the local authorities as a key direction. “From 2019 to the present, the Loc Binh district government, in coordination with agencies and units of Lang Son province, has organized many training classes and folk song festivals. In addition, many folk customs and performances at traditional festivals have been revived, such as lion dance, Then singing, Sli singing, Xang Co singing, the coming-of-age ceremony, and traditional Dao weddings… These are all fundamental elements that help develop local cultural experience tourism,” said Hoang Thi Thuy, Vice Chairman of the Loc Binh District People's Committee.

HIGH DETERMINATION IS NEEDED

However, for tourism in Loc Binh to truly become a key economic sector with sustainable development, it requires strong determination not only from the government at all levels but also from the local people in addressing existing limitations.

As of the end of 2024, Loc Binh district had only over 20 accommodation establishments, all rated below 3 stars. This disproportionately low number has limited the number of tourists visiting the area, especially since accommodation is a basic need and provides a stable source of revenue for the budget.

Despite possessing rich cultural characteristics, the reality shows that the development of community-based tourism models in Loc Binh district has not lived up to its potential. One of the main reasons is the lack of understanding of tourism, especially among the local people who do not fully grasp the community-based tourism model. In many villages, the traditional rammed-earth houses, a unique heritage of the Nung ethnic group, are gradually being replaced by concrete houses with corrugated iron roofs, inadvertently disrupting the traditional space. In addition, the preservation of historical and cultural relics in the district also faces many difficulties. For example, the national historical relic, the Governor-General Vi Van Dinh's mansion in Chu village, Khuat Xa commune, now only has a moss-covered gate showing signs of dilapidation, walls eroded by time revealing their foundations, and concrete houses with corrugated iron roofs and iron doors springing up everywhere, surrounding the former gate...

According to Associate Professor, Dr. Bui Hoai Son, Standing Member of the National Assembly's Committee on Culture and Education, Loc Binh and many other localities in Lang Son province have great potential for tourism development thanks to their beautiful natural landscapes and rich local cultural values. To overcome existing challenges, decisive action is needed in many important areas such as improving infrastructure, enhancing management capacity, protecting the environment and cultural heritage, training human resources, and attracting investment.

Text and photos: QUOC DAT

Source: https://nhandan.vn/danh-thuc-tiem-nang-du-lich-loc-binh-post888481.html