Unlocking the tourism potential of Muong Coi

Located beside the legendary Lung Lo Pass, Muong Coi commune boasts numerous advantages, including majestic mountain scenery, a cool climate, and attractive tourist destinations such as Suoi Chieu Lake, Mo village caves, lush green hills covered with fruit trees year-round, and the distinctive cultural identity of the Dao, Muong, and Mong ethnic groups. From these potentials, tourism in Muong Coi is gradually being "awakened," becoming a destination that attracts visitors to explore and experience.

Chiếu Stream Lake in Muong Coi commune is an attractive destination for many tourists.

Established through the merger of three former communes: Muong Thai, Muong Coi, and Tan Lang, the new Muong Coi commune enjoys a favorable geographical location, with National Highway 37 running through it. The commune also possesses many unique tourism potentials, both historically and culturally significant, most notably the Ban Mai - Suoi Chieu eco-tourism area, recognized as a provincial-level tourist destination; and the Lung Lo Pass historical site, associated with the heroic achievements of the nation. In addition, Muong Coi is attractive due to its rich agricultural ecosystem with lush orchards of oranges, pomelos, and tangerines year-round. The cultural space of the Muong, Dao, and Mong ethnic groups, through festivals, folk art, cuisine, and traditional crafts, creates resources for developing community tourism, linked to distinctive culture and agriculture.

Located more than 15 km from the commune center, Suoi Chieu Lake is calm and clear this season, with stilt houses nestled on both banks amidst lush green forests. After the Suoi Chieu Lake irrigation project was completed and put into operation in 2012, it gradually became an attractive destination for tourists who love exploring nature. Recognizing this potential, many households in Chieu village have opened services to serve tourists visiting the lake, combining it with the development of food and beverage services and local experiences.

Tourists experience the orange groves in Muong Coi commune.

Currently, several cooperatives have invested in building resorts to serve tourists. Among them, the Ban Mai - Suoi Chieu Tourist Area of ​​the Ban Mai Cooperative has invested in a system of spacious accommodations, natural hot spring baths, and many attractive experiential services. Here, tourists can explore the lake, enjoy the pristine and peaceful beauty; learn about the cultural life of the Muong ethnic people, enjoy characteristic local cuisine , and participate in cultural activities rich in local identity.

Mr. Ta Nam Long, Director of Ban Mai Cooperative, said: In 2020, the cooperative began investing in the construction of a resort with an area of ​​over 3 hectares and a total capital of over 10 billion VND. By August 2024, the Ban Mai - Suoi Chieu Lake tourist site was officially recognized by the Provincial People's Committee as a provincial-level tourist site. Currently, the cooperative has developed many experiential products, such as: rowing boats, fishing, camping, and cultural exchange activities such as bonfires, traditional dances, and bamboo pole dances.

The people of Chieu village, Muong Coi commune, are preparing brocade products to welcome tourists.

Muong Coi also focuses on developing agro-tourism models, linked to green, clean, and circular agriculture. The commune has oriented the development of these models in the villages of Nghia Hung, Van Tan, and Van Phuc Yen. The entire commune currently has over 500 hectares of citrus fruit trees, of which 150 hectares are certified to meet VietGAP standards.

A prime example is the model orchard, linked to ecotourism, in Van Phuc Yen village, with 3.6 hectares belonging to 3 households participating in safe, organic production. Mr. Vu Van Quan, from Van Phuc Yen village, shared: "My family planted 5,000 square meters of peach and plum trees in our orchard next to National Highway 37 to welcome tourists for experiential activities. Currently, we are continuing to improve our orchard organically to develop an agricultural tourism model."

Ban Mai Retreat hot spring is a highlight of the Suoi Chieu lake tourism.

Continuing to develop the local tourism potential, the Resolution of the First Congress of Muong Coi Commune, term 2025-2030, identifies tourism development as one of the key directions in the local socio-economic development strategy. The commune focuses on building key tourism groups, including: community tourism, agricultural tourism, and "Back to the Roots" tours, associated with the historical site of Lung Lo Pass.

Mr. Phan Ngoc Linh, Chairman of the People's Committee of Muong Coi commune, said: The Muong Coi commune tourism development plan for the period 2026-2030 aims to welcome at least 6,000 tourists annually, achieving tourism revenue of 25-27 billion VND; simultaneously upgrading and restoring the Lung Lo Pass historical site associated with the "Returning to the Roots" tourism route; building at least two effective community tourism models in Chieu and Tan Tuong Hop villages; training a team of local tour guides and standardizing the homestay system according to community tourism standards.

The unique cultural features and captivating natural landscapes are creating a distinct appeal for tourism in Muong Coi. This forms the foundation for Muong Coi to continue developing community-based and eco-tourism, linked to the preservation of ethnic cultural identity, the conservation of the landscape, and the creation of unique and attractive tourism products for visitors from near and far.

Source: https://baosonla.vn/du-lich/danh-thuc-tiem-nang-du-lich-muong-coi-yiVGaaJDR.html