Tourism highlights from the flower seasons.

15:57, 01/06/2024

BHG - Developing tourism based on seasonal flowers is a trend that many localities across the country are successfully implementing, attracting a large number of tourists. Following this trend, in recent years, various levels of government in the province have organized numerous tourism events and festivals associated with flowers, initially establishing a unique tourism brand for the province.

With its unique topography, natural conditions, and soil, along with diverse microclimates, the region is well-suited for the development of a diverse natural ecosystem and the growth of many flower species. Recognizing the growing desire of tourists to admire and photograph flowers, many localities in the province have invested in and encouraged people to cultivate and care for flowers to promote tourism. Seasonal flower tourism creates diverse and abundant tourism products, offering visitors many choices and overcoming the limitations of seasonal tourism in many other areas.

Tourists take photos with wild sunflowers in Phong Quang commune (Vi Xuyen district). Photo: Bien Luan

One of the most distinctive flower festivals that defines Ha Giang's tourism brand is the Buckwheat Flower Festival. This small, delicate, pink herbaceous flower not only thrives in the harsh weather of the rocky plateau but also possesses a magical allure for tourists. Having been successfully organized nine times, with meticulous preparation and many vibrant, attractive side activities, the Buckwheat Flower Festival has become a "must-see" destination on the national flower tourism map. In 2023, four districts in the rocky plateau region planted over 410 hectares of buckwheat for the festival. The flowers were planted in convenient locations for tourists to visit and take photos, such as: the Heaven's Gate viewpoint, Thach Son Than (Quan Ba); along the roadsides of Pho Cao, Sung La, and Lung Cu communes (Dong Van); and the Mong ethnic community tourism village, Pa Vi Ha hamlet, Pa Vi commune (Meo Vac). The festival featured many unique and attractive activities such as: the Ha Giang Shan Snow Tea Competition; an exhibition space showcasing OCOP products and typical products of the Northeast region; hot air balloon rides; the "Running on the Road of Happiness" International Marathon; the "Spirit of the Stone" extreme car and motorbike race; boat trips on the Nho Que River; linen weaving; Mong flute making; competitions in traditional ethnic sports ; and enjoying local traditional cuisine. Notably, the festival attracted more than 58,000 tourists to the province, including nearly 3,500 international visitors, generating a total tourism revenue of 137 billion VND.

Spring in the highlands of Ha Giang is perhaps one of the most beautiful seasons of the year, with the vibrant blossoming of peach, pear, and plum trees. Ms. Ho Ai My, a tourist from Dong Nai, shared: “This is my first time in Ha Giang. Feeling the cool mountain air and admiring the peach and pear blossoms blooming in the small Mong village, it's so beautiful and peaceful. These are wonderful landscapes that many other places can't offer.” Several villages on the rocky plateau, such as Pa Vi commune (Meo Vac), Lo Lo Chai, Lao Xa (Dong Van), Cao Ma Po, and Nam Dam (Quan Ba), attract many tourists every spring amidst the blooming flowers.

Tourists wearing traditional costumes pose for photos in the Star Jasmine flower garden in Phong Quang commune (Vi Xuyen district).

Photo: Phan Thoa

With the theme "Fragrance and Beauty by the Sawtooth Mountains," the 2023 Wild Sunflower Festival, despite being held for the first time in Phong Quang commune (Vi Xuyen district), attracted thousands of visitors. Located less than 10 km from Ha Giang city, nestled at the foot of the majestic sawtooth mountain range, Phong Quang commune boasts beautiful natural scenery, vast land, and a climate favorable for the growth of various flowers, including wild sunflowers. Implementing the movement to build model new rural roads, Phong Quang commune has promoted and encouraged its people to plant 3 km of wild sunflowers along rural roads stretching from the commune center to Lung Chau village. In November, in the cool weather, the wild sunflowers bloom, displaying their vibrant yellow color at the foot of the sawtooth mountains, creating a stunning natural landscape that attracts many locals and tourists to visit, take photos, and promote the image of the wild sunflowers on digital platforms.

In addition, many localities in the province have organized unique flower festivals such as: the Bombax Flower Festival in Meo Vac district; the Rhododendron Flower Festival in Cao Bo commune (Vi Xuyen); and the Peach Blossom Festival. Ha Giang City has planned to plant crape myrtle flower-lined roads to create a highlight for the city; the city's satellite communes also encourage people to plant seasonal flower gardens such as sunflowers, mustard flowers, cosmos, chrysanthemums, etc., to attract tourists.

The beauty of flowers is enchanting; however, in the context of numerous flower festivals being held nationwide, to develop flower-season tourism into a unique and attractive tourism product, creating a distinct brand to attract tourists, localities need to be creative in the script and content of festival organization, plan flower development areas, focus on promoting and introducing the image, create regional linkages, and increase sustainable income for the people.

AN GIANG

Source: https://baohagiang.vn/van-hoa/202406/dau-an-du-lich-tu-nhung-mua-hoa-1e16da1/