A "new breeze" for Ham Rong cultural tourism.

(Baothanhhoa.vn) - From a symbol of glorious history associated with the legendary Ham Rong bridge, Ham Rong is now embarking on a new journey to affirm its position as a unique cultural and tourist destination in Thanh Hoa province. The launch of the "WOW Ham Rong" tourism product line is expected not only to evoke sacred memories but also to become a vibrant experiential space where visitors can connect with the heritage through emotionally rich experiential programs.

Many experiential activities at Thanh Hoa Eco Village attract tourists.

In the historical and cultural flow of Thanh Hoa province, the Ham Rong Historical and Cultural Relic Area (Ham Rong ward) is a symbol of resilient vitality, a place where the heroic memories of the nation are preserved, and a land that converges many unique cultural, historical, and scenic values. From the years of war to protect the Ham Rong bridge to the present day, this land still possesses a strong appeal and boasts fascinating natural landscapes. To "awaken" this potential, the Ham Rong Historical and Cultural Relic Area has been on a journey of innovation and development, connecting with other destinations in the region to further clarify its historical values, transforming cultural experiences into attractive tourism products that touch the emotions of tourists in the trend of experiencing cultural destinations; and the "WOW Ham Rong" tourism product line, developed by the Ham Rong Tourism Club, will be launched in early 2025.

This is not simply the name of a tourism product line, but also contains a creative, evocative message aimed at surprising, awe-inspiring, and delightfully unexpected experiences for visitors. The product line consists of four tour programs: Ham Rong Past and Present; Ham Rong - Up and Down the Ma River; Ham Rong Night - A Bridge to Heritage; and Ham Rong: Stories of the Past and Present. The tourism product line is built upon the cultural heritage and natural landscape of Ham Rong, harmoniously combining traditional and modern elements. Instead of simply visiting historical sites and listening to explanations, visitors to Ham Rong will immerse themselves in cultural experiences, artistic spaces, and modern entertainment... All designed to create a "Wow" feeling from the very first encounter, true to the spirit of the name.

According to Ms. Nguyen Ha Phuong (Ham Rong Tourism Club), the "WOW Ham Rong" product line is a synthesis of many layers of values, from history and culture to landscape and contemporary life. Ms. Phuong emphasized: "We not only want tourists to remember Ham Rong as a legendary war relic, but also want them to see here a vibrant, creative tourism space where history is recreated through experience, where tourists can touch, hear, see, and experience new and unique emotions. This is how Ham Rong can both preserve its identity and keep pace with the tourism trends in the new situation."

In reality, Ham Rong has long been known for its immense historical value, but its tourism development has not been truly groundbreaking. Tourists often come here to take a few pictures, listen to introductions, and then leave without much motivation to stay longer or return. The "WOW Ham Rong" product line was created to overcome this limitation. For example, the Ham Rong Past and Present tour will connect tourists to the following points: Ham Rong Bridge - Tien Son Cave - Dong Son Pagoda - Dong Son Ancient Village - Xu Thanh Eco Village - La Monte Tourist Village. Besides sightseeing and learning about the destinations, tourists will participate in cultural experiences and enjoy fresh bird's nest soup at Xu Thanh Eco Village, along with activities such as workshops, golf, baking, and traditional games. The product line also expands into modern culture and art, connecting tourists to the La Monte entertainment complex. This is how to "rejuvenate" the heritage, so that Ham Rong retains its essence while keeping pace with current tourism trends.

From a different perspective, Mr. Hoang Van Tho, CEO of VNPlus Travel - the company that operates the "WOW Ham Rong" product line - believes this represents an innovative approach to cultural heritage.

“If we only focus on pure preservation, Ham Rong will remain just a memory. But when we transform memories into creative tourism products, when the heritage is retold in a modern language, it will become a vibrant stream in social life. Ham Rong is now not only for remembering and being proud of, but also for experiencing, exploring , and building lasting connections. This is the biggest difference that the “WOW Ham Rong” product line brings,” Mr. Tho emphasized.

In the context of Thanh Hoa province aiming to become a national tourism hub, developing unique and highly recognizable tourism products is crucial. Ham Rong, already a strong historical brand, needs to be revitalized to become an attractive destination for cultural tourism. The "WOW Ham Rong" initiative can be considered a test of a new approach, focusing on the experiences and emotions of visitors. However, for this "new wave" to truly spread, a coordinated effort from the government, the tourism industry, businesses, and the community is needed. Most importantly, the essence of the Ham Rong Historical and Cultural Relic Site must be preserved, so that each "wow" experience is not just a surprise but leaves a lasting impression on visitors.

Broadly speaking, the story of Ham Rong is also proof of the inevitable direction of Vietnamese cultural tourism: to break through, one must dare to innovate, create, and produce unique products. With "WOW Ham Rong," visitors will not only come to see and hear, but also to live in the heritage, to experience emotions, and to see history present right before their eyes. This is seen as a way to continuously renew heritage, so that the glorious memories will forever shine brightly in the present and future.

Text and photos: Hoai Anh

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/gio-moi-cho-du-lich-van-hoa-ham-rong-259083.htm