People in Bac Tra My engage in community tourism.

Opening training courses and guiding people to access community-based tourism methods suitable to the local conditions has helped the ethnic minorities in the mountainous areas of Bac Tra My district to better approach community-based tourism.

People in Bac Tra My have recently received training in community-based tourism . Photo: DIEM LE

Equipping yourself with tourism skills.

Taking advantage of its mountainous terrain and abundant natural landscapes, Bac Tra My district has guided its people in developing community-based tourism that utilizes nature. Cao Son Community Tourism Village, located in Hamlet 1B (Long Son village, Tra Son commune, Bac Tra My district), is approximately 6km west of the Bac Tra My district center.

The village has a total natural area of ​​10 hectares with 34 households of the Ca Dong ethnic group. The natural conditions and the local population are favorable for developing community-based tourism. Around the village are several rocky mountain areas and natural streams with clean water.

The local people still preserve the beautiful traditional cultural values ​​of the area, such as gong and drum dances, water trough rituals, new rice harvest celebrations, maintaining traditional rattan and bamboo weaving activities; and preserving the traditional way of life in stilt houses.

Previously, the local Ca Dong people were very apprehensive whenever tourist groups came to visit, as they didn't know how to introduce the beautiful scenery and local specialties to tourists.

The traditional dances of the Cadong ethnic group have become a product serving community tourism in Cao Son village. Photo: THUY VAN

In implementing Resolution No. 58 of the District People's Council on "Developing tourism in Bac Tra My district in the period 2019 - 2025, with orientation to 2030", Bac Tra My district has opened two training courses to improve professional skills and tourism expertise for the community in Long Son village, with nearly 100 participants.

Currently, Long Son village has established a gong club with 26 members. Seven households in the village have restored traditional stilt houses to provide food and accommodation for tourists.

Ms. Dinh Thi Huong (a resident of Long Son village) excitedly said: “When participating in the training courses, we were guided by officials on how to communicate and the procedures for welcoming tourists. We were also instructed on providing food and beverage services for tourists, managing tour groups, and addressing issues that may arise during their visit, such as environmental hygiene, security and order, food safety, and pricing…”

Currently, Cao Son village confidently welcomes many tour groups from Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, and other places. Tour guides earn around 500,000 VND per tour. In addition, the villagers sell many products such as honey, wild vegetables, and woven products made by the Ca Dong people, priced from 100,000 to 500,000 VND per item.

Leveraging local advantages

Not far from Cao Son Community Tourism Village, there are also several other potential tourist attractions such as the Central Vietnam Historical Relic Area - Nuoc Oa, Song Tranh 2 hydroelectric reservoir (6km away), the district's cultural square (4km away), and several beautiful streams and waterfalls in Tra Giang, Tra Tan, Tra Bui communes, and Muong Village (Tra Giang commune)...

Tourists experience the traditional bamboo pole dancing game of the Muong ethnic group. Photo: DIEM LE

The People's Committee of Bac Tra My district has also organized training courses to improve vocational skills and soft skills in tourism services for local people. In addition, the locality has enhanced the skills of management staff and members of the tourism management board in building and organizing cultural and artistic activities to serve tourists.

Mr. Bui Van Quyen (Hamlet 3, Tra Giang Commune) said: “Previously, we Muong people still maintained the tradition of bamboo pole dancing and gong playing during festivals and holidays. In our families, we still use traditional products woven from rattan and bamboo. However, the villagers didn't know how to make these products to sell to tourists.”

Having received training on tourism development, we have now established a Muong ethnic group's rattan and bamboo weaving association with over 50 farmer members. Our products are displayed and introduced at many fairs and exhibitions, and are purchased by tourists, creating a stable source of income.”

Currently, Bac Tra My district continues to implement the district's tourism development plan for the period 2019-2025, with a vision to 2030, through various tourism promotion activities.

This includes: promoting Bac Tra My as a destination in Vietnam's tourism guidebooks, developing and launching a Bac Tra My tourism app, publishing a Bac Tra My travel handbook, and organizing famtrip tours to survey tourism...

The locality is also developing mechanisms and policies to attract and support the development of ecotourism and community-based tourism services; and creating tourism products that reflect the unique local culture. At the same time, it continues to organize training and professional development for local people to promote sustainable tourism development.

Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/dong-bao-bac-tra-my-lam-du-lich-cong-dong-3154852.html