"Awakening" the tourism potential in Nam An

11:41, March 22, 2023

BHG - In 2008, Nam An Ecotourism Area (DLST) in Tan Thanh Commune (Bac Quang) officially came into operation, creating a breakthrough in the development of the local "smokeless industry". However, due to many objective and subjective reasons, the door to the DLST quickly closed, making Nam An a "sleeping princess" that needed to be "awakened" by strong policies.

Beauty on the top of the clouds

Dao women harvest Shan Tuyet tea in the spring crop.

Nam An is a village in region 2 of Tan Thanh commune, located at an altitude of 700 m to more than 1,000 m above sea level. The whole village currently has 45 households, including 3 ethnic groups: Dao, Mong, San Diu; of which, Dao ethnic group accounts for more than 90%. Nam An has left an impression on tourists by the typical beauty of eco-tourism and community tourism.

The highlight of Nam An tourism is the beautiful natural picture: Floating white clouds embrace the village every morning; a masterpiece of golden terraced fields in the ripe rice season with a protective forest system. In particular, Nam An has a fresh, cool climate combined with the four-season song of water pouring from Phin Ho stream and the green "mirror" of the 18-hectare reservoir of Nam An Hydropower Plant (managed by Nam Mu Hydropower Joint Stock Company). Not only that, Nam An also has more than 1.3 hectares of ancient Shan Tuyet tea trees produced in an organic direction. In 2022, Shan Tuyet tea products were developed by Vinh Sinh Tea Cooperative into a 3-star OCOP product. This not only affirms the brand and quality of Shan Tuyet tea on the top of Nam An but also opens up opportunities to develop mountain and forest experience tourism associated with the organic Shan Tuyet tea production area.

The cuisine of the Dao people is a highlight that attracts tourists when coming to Nam An.

In addition to possessing beautiful natural landscapes, Nam An also has a "magnet" that attracts tourists to explore and experience; that is the traditional cultural beauty of the Dao people in terms of housing, costumes, Cap Sac ceremony, Fire Dance, folk songs or unique herbal bath recipes. Not only that, through the talented hands of the people, from wild vegetables to native animals such as black chickens, "rocket" pigs, stream fish, Bong fish, Salmon fish, mountain goats... all become attractive dishes, imbued with the unique culinary culture of the Dao people. Thereby, helping tourists have interesting experiences in eco-tourism, community tourism and fully feel the atmosphere of gathering with relatives around a warm meal in the middle of the mountains.

"Low notes" of tourism

Identifying that Nam An has great potential for tourism development, on November 1, 2007, the Standing Committee of Bac Quang District Party Committee announced Conclusion No. 90 on investment in the construction of Nam An Ecotourism Area. On this basis, the District People's Committee issued the Project on the construction of Nam An Ecotourism Area, assigning the specialized agencies of the district and Tan Thanh commune to organize the construction of project items.

The stilt house area to welcome guests at Nam An Eco-tourism Area is seriously degraded.

Accordingly, Nam An Ecotourism Area has an area of 2.5 hectares with a total investment of nearly 5.7 billion VND; of which, the state invested over 4.7 billion VND, the remaining amount was contributed by the people. With the high determination of the entire political system from the district to the grassroots, after nearly 1 year of construction, on October 10, 2008, Nam An Ecotourism Area opened and went into operation, bringing many interesting experiences to tourists such as: Cruising on the Nam An Hydropower Lake, bathing with Red Dao ethnic medicinal herbs, experiencing the natural beauty of the mountains and forests, discovering the traditional cultural beauty of the Dao people...

Despite billions of investment, for many reasons, the door to Nam An Ecotourism Area quickly closed. In just nearly 5 years (2008 - 2013), Nam An Ecotourism Area was assigned by Bac Quang District People's Committee to directly manage and exploit 4 units, including: District Department of Culture and Information, District Center of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Tan Thanh Commune People's Committee, Nam An Village Management Board. However, the management and operation of Nam An Ecotourism Area by these units were ineffective, operating at a loss, unable to exploit the potential and strengths of community tourism activities. Explaining this, the leader of the District People's Committee said: The management and exploitation of Nam An Ecotourism Area by state agencies is not suitable for tourism business because the State does not have a business function. In addition, the impact of many natural disasters has caused the infrastructure in Nam An Ecotourism Area to deteriorate, beyond the management unit's ability to repair. And now, many items of Nam An Ecotourism Area are forced to be covered with a "coat" of serious degradation, completely damaged such as: The 300m long main road into the tourist area; all 7 stilt houses including 2 large stilt houses, 4 mini stilt houses, 1 public house for staff; boat system, lake tourism service area...

From the above reality, with the consistent viewpoint of accompanying businesses, "business prosperity - local development"; the Party Committee and the government of Bac Quang district are promoting investment attraction activities with the hope of: Approaching capable investors to "awaken" the potential of eco-tourism in Nam An. Head of the Department of Culture and Information of Bac Quang district, Bui Nhat Dai shared: Through reviewing and evaluating the current status of Nam An Eco-tourism Area, the Department has proposed to the District People's Committee a plan to attract investment. In particular, focusing on handling assets for degraded items; attracting investment in the agricultural sector; implementing solutions to preserve and promote traditional culture of the Dao ethnic group. At the same time, there are preferential mechanisms for organizations and individuals participating in tourism development investment; creating a clean land to attract investment. Thereby, creating momentum for the development of the "smokeless industry", contributing to socio-economic growth, preserving the natural environment and unique indigenous cultural values in Nam An.

Article and photos: THU PHUONG

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