Homestay - Awakening the Muong village in the difficult area of ​​Ngoc Son

Previously, the lives of people in Ngoc Son commune mainly depended on agriculture: afforestation, rice cultivation and livestock raising. Difficult roads caused great obstacles to economic development, so the poverty rate was high. However, nature has endowed Mu waterfall commune with wildness and unique Muong culture. Taking advantage of this, the local government and people have decided to exploit the homestay model to develop the economy. Local people have turned traditional houses into attractive resorts for tourists, especially foreign tourists. Households near Mu waterfall have invested in building houses and infrastructure to make homestays. From exploiting tourism, jobs and income have been created for people.

From farming , Ms. Quach Thi Thuc in Ngoc Son commune has turned tourism, providing services to visitors for a stable income.

As the first person to run a homestay in Ngoc Son, Ms. Quach Thi Thuc from Mu Khuong hamlet said: "Initially, we were quite unfamiliar with the process, but with the support of the local government and relevant agencies, we gradually adapted. After attending training, my family learned how to protect the environment, moved the livestock pens away from the house, and renovated the road leading to our home. Guests who stayed at my house gave very positive feedback. Besides food and accommodation, I also regularly welcome foreign tourists for excursions and experiences of the local landscape. Guests who come to my house all say they really like the culture, the people, and the scenery here. They find it enjoyable because everything here is so natural. My family has three houses with a capacity of about 50 guests. This model has created jobs for five family members, providing them with a stable income. Many other families have followed suit, seeing the income my family earns."

Recognizing the high economic efficiency of homestay services and their ability to improve family life, five households in Mu Khuong hamlet have boldly borrowed capital to renovate and remodel their houses with architecture that blends with nature, attracting many tourists. The homestay business has also provided many households with stable employment and income.

Since tourists started visiting Ngoc Son, Mrs. Bui Thi Nang has been raising the specialty Dam Xanh fish and selling it at a high price.

Ms. Dang Thi Hoai, a tourist from Dong Anh, Hanoi, visiting Ngoc Son for the first time, said: "Besides enjoying the pristine Mu Waterfall, we also get to experience the culture and customs of the ancient Muong people. This community-based tourism model introduces the unique cultural features of our people to tourists from all over, mostly foreigners. Guests staying in the village can join the locals in catching stream fish, gathering vegetables in the forest, planting trees, and transplanting rice... then in the evening, they prepare delicious dishes according to the local cuisine. These community-based tourism models have created jobs and additional livelihoods for the people in the highlands. They can now confidently introduce to tourists the unique aspects of their culture and their love for their homeland and village."

Community-based tourism development creates opportunities for local people's products to become known to more people, opening up opportunities for the development of agricultural processing and traditional products of their ethnic group. Ms. Bui Thi Nang from Sat hamlet said: "In the past, if people wanted to sell agricultural products, they had to take them to the market, but now with tourists visiting and staying in the village, we can sell our goods right at home, which is more economically efficient than taking them to the market..."

Thanks to homestay models, the lives of people in these remote areas have changed, providing them with diverse sources of income. Many no longer need to travel far for work.

Viet Lam

Source: https://baophutho.vn/homestay-danh-thuc-ban-muong-vung-kho-khan-ngoc-son-238328.htm