Effectively exploiting the potential of cultural tourism

Cultural heritage potential is the foundation for Lam Dong to develop cultural tourism.

Cultural heritage potential is the foundation for Lam Dong to develop cultural tourism .

Interesting experiences

The sun sets behind the mountains, the villages at the foot of Lang Biang are lit by fire. Tonight, I am joining a group of visitors from far away who come to this land filled with legends to enjoy the rhythm of gongs and the burning sinus rhythm. The Yo Rong gong exchange group of Krajan Druynhs in Bon Dung, Lang Biang ward, Da Lat, Lam Dong province, welcomes guests with the inviting "gung me" gong melody. While playing the gong himself among dozens of tourists, Daniel, a Portuguese, shared: "I have been to many Eastern countries and this is a very interesting experience, the culture of this highland has a strange attraction. I will share it so that my friends know about this land." The villages of Dang Gia, Bon Dung, Bnơh... at the foot of Lang Biang mountain have been "upgraded" to residential groups for more than 20 years, but many people are still familiar with the old way of calling them. “In recent times, cultural tourism activities in this land have always attracted tourists. The establishment of more than 10 gong exchange groups has contributed to preserving traditional cultural values and bringing economic value when adapting to the tourism environment,” said Secretary of the Lang Biang Ward Party Committee, Da Lat, Tran Thi Chuc Quynh.

Leaving the highlands, visitors can continue their journey to the blue sea of Lam Dong to experience the vibrant life of coastal fishing villages, hear about the more than 300-year history of Phan Thiet; learn about architectural relics, art, festivals associated with coastal culture and beliefs... Go to the west of Lam Dong, where there is Dak Nong UNESCO Global Geopark, to visit the national scenic spots of C3-C4 cave, cave 7, cave 8; Nam Nung and Ta Dung ecological areas and many tangible and intangible cultural heritages. On the journey of experience, Professor, Dr. Eric Jose Olmedo Panal, Director of International Institute, University of Economics and Finance, Ho Chi Minh City expressed: "Lam Dong has a diverse culture, with traditional cultural heritages of ethnic groups, from tangible to intangible. These are valuable assets that form good tourism products, through which we can promote them to domestic and international tourists".

Director of Lam Dong Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Loc said that the province currently has 144 relics, including three special national relics, 59 national relics, 82 provincial relics; along with a system of cultural heritages honored by UNESCO, such as the Central Highlands Gong Cultural Space, Nguyen Dynasty Woodblocks, Langbiang World Biosphere Reserve, Cham Pottery Village, Da Lat Creative Music City; 10 national intangible cultural heritages and three national treasures; along with craft villages, traditional festivals and unique customs and practices of 49 ethnic groups creating rich and diverse cultural values and tourism resources.

Cultural tourism is a type of tourism developed on the basis of exploiting cultural values, contributing to the preservation, promotion and dissemination of traditional cultural values; it is a development with "symbiotic" value. Director of the Vietnam Cultural Heritage Department Le Thi Thu Hien said: "With existing cultural tourism resources, Lam Dong can connect to form a chain of attractive tourism products, especially cultural tourism with identity".

Create attraction from cultural characteristics

Coming to Mui Ne-Phan Thiet, after visiting and experiencing the scenic spots, listening to the sound of waves on the beaches, tourists can visit the traditional fish sauce villages formed in the 18th century to discover the cultural values hidden behind the quintessence of the sea. Chairman of Lam Dong Tourism Association Nguyen Van Khoa said that Lam Dong has many advantages in terms of space to develop experiential tourism and cultural tourism associated with the community. In recent times, the fish sauce villages here have become attractive destinations for tourists. According to Mr. Khoa, in reality, to promote this existing potential, the infrastructure system needs to be invested synchronously, especially in traffic infrastructure; building methodical and unique tourism products to enhance the competitiveness of each destination.

Currently, Bau Trang U&ME tourist area, Hoa Thang commune, Lam Dong province welcomes from three to four thousand visitors every day. According to the tourist area's Executive Director Nguyen Van Hung, to develop sustainable tourism in Lam Dong, it is necessary to connect the great forest - blue sea - thousands of flowers, creating a synchronous tourism ecosystem. And importantly, during the experience, visitors must explore the "layers" of culture and history of the land, to "touch" enough emotions and leave an impression on each trip.

According to many experts, cultural tourism products in Lam Dong are currently lacking in creativity and have not been exploited commensurate with their potential; valuable cultural resources in many regions have not been invested in and exploited into unique tourism products; there is a lack of connection between regions in the process of exploiting cultural resources for tourism development... Dr. Phan Bao Giang, Vice Principal and Head of the Marketing Department, University of Economics and Finance, Ho Chi Minh City, acknowledged that the three "core" areas of Lam Dong currently all have different "styles", so it is necessary to "draw" a customer positioning map for each route and tourist destination. "When systematizing the potentials and local styles; clearly identifying the target market, typical products of each region, respecting the identity and synchronous infrastructure connection strategy, Lam Dong tourism will be a real economic pillar", Dr. Phan Bao Giang suggested.

Lam Dong province has identified tourism as one of the pillars in local socio-economic development and aims to build Lam Dong into a high-quality tourism center with national and international brands. Chairman of Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee Ho Van Muoi emphasized: "From the cultural tourism resources of the regions in the area, we will create and connect to tell attractive stories about history and culture, creating unique tourism products to attract domestic and international tourists."

Article and photos: MAI VAN BAO

Source: https://nhandan.vn/khai-thac-hieu-qua-tiem-nang-du-lich-van-hoa-post922353.html