Integrating intangible cultural heritage with tourism development.

Currently, Thai Nguyen province has over 700 intangible cultural heritage sites. Integrating intangible cultural heritage with tourism development has been and continues to be a goal for Thai Nguyen. Through this, Thai Nguyen aims to transform intangible cultural heritage into unique tourism products, generating economic benefits and sustainably promoting and preserving national cultural identity.

Then singing and Tinh playing at the Long Tong Festival in the ATK Dinh Hoa area.

In Thai Nguyen , traditional festivals such as the Long Tong Dinh Hoa Festival (Phu Dinh commune, Dinh Hoa district), the Long Tong Ba Be Festival (Ba Be commune), the Mu La Festival (Cao Minh commune), the Long Tong Phu Thong Festival (Phu Thong commune), the Long Tong Bang Van Festival (Bang Van commune), the Xuan Duong Traditional Culture Festival (Xuan Duong commune), the ATK Cho Don Spring Festival (Cho Don commune), the Chua Hang Festival (Linh Son ward), the Duom Temple Festival (Phu Luong commune),... are held annually, becoming a unique space for ethnic cultural exchange, attracting a large number of tourists.

Ms. Le Thanh Hao, a tourist from Hanoi , shared: "Every year, I organize spring trips to Thai Nguyen with my friends. What I find most interesting is that the province has many unique and attractive festivals such as the Dinh Hoa Long Tong Festival, the Duom Temple Festival... I think that, in addition to the ceremonial part with its spiritual rituals, the festive part with folk games like throwing the ball, cultural performances, etc., is a major plus that attracts tourists."

According to Ms. Ha Thi Bich Hong, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Thai Nguyen is famous for its intangible cultural heritage such as Then singing, Soong Co singing, Tac Xinh dance, Song Cau folk singing, and Sli singing of the Nung people; the Bat dance performance art of the Tay people, the Coming-of-Age Ceremony of the Dao Tien people; lullabies of the Tay people; tea culture, etc. These intangible cultural heritages combined offer visitors unique experiences. In fact, the "resources" for combining intangible culture with tourism development in Thai Nguyen are quite abundant.

The province has also exploited and incorporated several heritage sites into tourism activities. For example, at the annual Ba Be Long Tong Festival, in addition to organizing folk games, there are also performances of traditional dances such as the bowl dance, Then singing, and Tinh playing, as well as cultural and artistic activities and competitions in traditional sports. This contributes to preserving and promoting the value of ethnic culture and attracting a large number of tourists from within and outside the province.

However, in reality, the province's tourism products remain monotonous, mainly catering to short-term visits; it has not yet developed many distinctive, unique, and highly competitive tourism products. The exploitation of intangible cultural heritage for tourism development is still modest.

The Ba Be Long Tong Festival attracts a large number of tourists.

Therefore, to fully exploit this existing potential, in the coming time, Thai Nguyen should organize cultural, historical, and spiritual tourism routes and tours focusing on the origins, such as: Ly Nam De Relic - 915 Relic - Duom Temple - Dinh Hoa ATK Relic - Cho Don ATK Relic - Na Tu Historical Relic - Co Temple, Mau Temple; Thach Long Pagoda (Tan Ky), Tham Temple (Cho Moi). Along with that, it is necessary to maintain and strengthen promotion, improve the quality and effectiveness of attracting tourists through the organization of traditional festivals in the localities.

In particular, festivals such as the Duom Temple Festival, the Ba Be Long Tong Festival, the Van Mountain - Vo Mountain Festival, the Cau Muoi Temple and Pagoda Festival, the Hang Pagoda Festival in Dinh Hoa, and the Hich Festival should be promoted alongside the preservation of intangible cultural heritage such as Then singing and Tac Xinh dancing. Furthermore, the province should also research and organize creative festivals at the local, provincial, and national levels to expand tourism options in the area.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/van-hoa/202605/ket-hop-van-hoa-phi-vat-the-voi-phat-trien-du-lich-d5c1e1d/