Gia Lai: Investing in developing valuable "seeds" for community tourism

Ba Na tour guide introduces tourists to Mo H'ra-Dap community tourism area, Kbang district

Village guide​

Arriving at De Kjieng village (Ayun commune, Mang Yang district), we were guided by Mr. Si - a bamboo weaving artisan. From the first destination, the traditional communal house, Mr. Si then took us to the drop of water, the Vang field located in the valley at the source of the Ayun river. From here, looking from above, we can see the gentle river winding around the fields and the mountains in the distance, so peaceful.

Traditional communal house of the Ba Na people in De Kjieng village - Mang Yang district

Talking about the communal house, Mr. Si proudly told in a warm voice: De Kjieng is a Ba Na village with many advantages in terms of natural landscape and culture, only about 4 km from Kon Ka Kinh National Park. The communal house of the village is made entirely from natural materials with a thatched roof, floor and walls woven from bamboo trees and firmly fixed with wild rattan fibers.

The communal house is the “soul of the village” and is made by the villagers who gather materials, put in effort, and join forces to build it. Under this communal house, the villagers often organize important events and festivals. On each occasion, the villagers get together to play gongs, dance xoang, and drink jar wine, creating a joyful and united atmosphere.

The love for the village makes the children born in the village, more eager to introduce the identity and peaceful beauty of the village to everyone. This is also the reason why Ms. Ksor Diu (Ia Nueng village, Bien Ho commune, Pleiku city) chose Bien Ho scenic spot to introduce in her role as a tour guide.

Ms. Diu shared: Bien Ho is associated with many generations of Gia Rai people in this land, including her childhood. Here, every old person can tell you the story of "Pleiku Eyes". "The younger generations like us, want to spread the good cultural values ​​further, so that everyone can know about it".

Ms. Ksor Diu (Ia Nueng village, Bien Ho commune, Pleiku city) explains and introduces Bien Ho commune at the 2024 Ethnic Minority Tourist Guide Competition

Stor resistance village (To Tung commune, Kbang district) gathers a large number of artisans participating in tourism activities, including elder Dinh Greng. Born and raised in a land associated with slash-and-burn culture, elder Greng has a rich life experience and understanding of festivals.

“I often participate in reenacting traditional festivals to serve tourists. I am ready to tell village stories to tourists whenever they are interested in visiting the village. Talking about the traditional cultural identity of the Ba Na people, I can spend hours talking to tourists,” said old man Greng.

It can be said that, in the journey of discovery and experience of community tourism in Gia Lai, the ethnic minority tour guides of the village have contributed to creating a strong attraction and a good impression in the hearts of tourists. They are considered as valuable "seeds" that Gia Lai province is investing and training to develop in the community.

Investing in developing valuable " seeds "

In order to encourage the young generation living in villages to improve their skills and proactively participate in community tourism and rural tourism activities, recently in July 2024, for the first time, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Gia Lai province organized a competition for tour guides at sites for ethnic minorities.

At this contest, the contestants brought to the contest many explanatory topics related to the local cultural and historical traditions such as: Historical and cultural relics of Stor Resistance Village; preserving the traditional brocade weaving craft; the beauty of the communal house architecture of the Ba Na people - Mang Yang district; Central Highlands gongs; wedding customs of the Gia Rai people ...

Ms. MLê (Wâu village, Chư Á commune, Pleiku city) excellently won the first prize of the contest with the theme "Wâu village on the path of preserving cultural identity". She said: "My village is not blessed with outstanding natural beauty, but it is a village rich in cultural identity. I am very proud to introduce the most ordinary things of a Gia Rai village in the city, but still preserve cultural identity in the midst of integrated life".

Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Tran Ngoc Nhung awarded prizes to contestants participating in the tour guide contest at the site for ethnic minorities.

It is known that Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee has planned to implement the Rural Tourism Development Program in the new rural construction period 2021 - 2025, the plan to develop community tourism in the province until 2030 with the determination to develop rural tourism commensurate with its potential. In particular, preparing human resources is an important task to make this new type of tourism successful.

Based on the province's policy, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has organized a number of training courses to raise awareness of rural tourism and community tourism. The Department has also invited experts in the field of agricultural tourism, and coordinated with training institutions to organize training to improve skills for the workforce participating in community tourism.

Mr. Tran Ngoc Nhung, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Gia Lai province, acknowledged: In the context of strong tourism recovery, ethnic minority tour guides will contribute to better promoting the image of Gia Lai tourism to a wide range of tourists. Thanks to them, community tourism villages are gradually operating effectively, the young generation is increasingly aware of the importance of preserving national cultural identity as well as promoting and attracting tourists...

Community Tourism – A Potential Development Direction in Kbang

Source: https://baodantoc.vn/gia-lai-dau-tu-phat-trien-nhung-hat-giong-quy-cho-du-lich-cong-dong-1726820261886.htm