Dong Phuc - A Green Land Awakens

The beauty of the golden season in Dong Phuc, Thai Nguyen province.

Located in the northern part of Thai Nguyen province, formed from the merger of four communes: Dong Phuc, Bang Phuc, Quang Khe, and Hoang Tri (formerly part of Bac Kan province), Dong Phuc commune is no longer an obscure name on the map. It's like a "green lung" awakening, showcasing the pristine beauty of the midland and mountainous region with vibrant energy, promising to become an unmissable destination for nature lovers and those yearning for authentic experiences.

Awakening the "green zone" with agricultural tourism.

Upon arriving in Dong Phuc, the first impression is one of a vast and vibrant agricultural landscape. Lush green hillsides covered with Shan Tuyet tea, fields of ginger, and orchards of specialty fruit trees stretch endlessly, creating a wide, verdant space. The rhythm of life here retains the essence of the land: simple, diligent, and deeply connected.
Notably, on December 8, 2025, the cluster of 12 ancient Shan Tuyet tea trees in Dong Phuc was officially recognized as "Vietnamese Heritage Trees" by the Vietnam Association for Nature and Environment Protection. The ceremony to receive the Certificate of Recognition for "Vietnamese Heritage Trees - Bang Phuc Shan Tuyet Tea Trees," organized by the People's Committee of the commune in coordination with the Northern Mountainous Region Institute of Agricultural and Forestry Science and Technology, marked a significant milestone.

This designation not only honors the precious biological value but also opens new doors for heritage tourism, research, and the enhancement of the local specialty tea brand. Simultaneously, a small commercial and service area is being developed to facilitate the processing of agricultural and forestry products, handicrafts, and medicinal herbs, creating additional economic opportunities closely linked to the burgeoning tourism industry.

The idea of a "One Day as a Farmer" tour in Dong Phuc is very feasible and is expected to create a unique identity for this region.

This is the valuable "material" for creating unique tourism products. Visitors can not only admire the scenery but also transform themselves into real farmers: following the locals to the fields, tending the soil, planting, harvesting, and enjoying fresh produce right in the garden. The idea of a "Day as a Farmer" tour or a journey to explore strategic raw material areas such as ginger, Shan Tuyet tea, and medicinal plants becomes very feasible, bearing the distinct mark of this region.

The natural landscape of Dong Phuc is a delicate blend of low hills, forests, and cool streams. The villages of Dong Danh and Dong Bong, with their clear, small streams, are where locals often bathe, creating a rustic and poetic scene of daily life.

The highlight is Suoi Lanh Lake in Dong Bong hamlet, an old irrigation project that has now become an ideal spot for fishing and picnicking with its peaceful scenery.

In particular, the new route from Dong Phuc to Ba Be is being touted by netizens as one of the most scenic routes in the region. Stopping at high points, visitors will be overwhelmed by the panoramic view of the green valley and the majestic mountain ranges. This is a God-given advantage for the development of ecotourism and resort tourism.

Hua Ma Cave in Dong Phuc is also a must-see destination. (Photo: Au Ninh)

Ba Be National Park's position as the "southern gateway," along with its system of limestone caves such as Hua Ma and Tham Phay, and its natural forests, opens up great potential for light trekking, cycling through villages, and even adventure tourism.

Local culture is the "soul" of an authentic experience.

The allure of Dong Phuc lies not only in its scenery. Its soul is in its simple, peaceful community culture. Families of the Tay, Nung, and Dao ethnic groups still preserve many traditional stilt houses, natural farming methods, and inherited handicrafts.

Particularly in the cozy atmosphere of stilt houses, the traditional craft of brewing rice wine with leaf yeast is preserved like a treasure among the Tay people. Each batch of wine is the culmination of hundreds of years of experience, from selecting dozens of types of forest leaves to make the yeast, fermenting them with fragrant local glutinous rice, to the sophisticated distillation technique. The rich, spicy aroma of the wine permeates the mountain forest, becoming a distinctive and unmistakable culinary cultural feature.

Visitors can immerse themselves in local life, help prepare a traditional meal with local specialties, learn how to wrap cakes, process agricultural products, or discover the unique secrets of brewing herbal rice wine.

The bowl dance is an ancient dance of the Tay people that has been recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a national intangible cultural heritage. (Photo: Viet Hung)

The rural landscape, undisturbed by urbanization, is a major advantage for developing a "slow living" tourism model and community-based retreats. Homestays, renovated from traditional stilt houses, are fully equipped with modern amenities while retaining their original character, promising rare peaceful and tranquil nights.

With the dual advantages of green agriculture, diverse ecological landscapes, and rich community cultural identity, Dong Phuc is gradually shaping a green, sustainable, and experiential tourism model. Exploring this region is not just a trip, but a valuable opportunity to reconnect with its original values, contributing to the sustainable socio-economic development of the land and its people.

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