Awakening the potential for tourism development in Thanh Quan commune

The Nine-Room Temple in Thanh Quan commune attracts a large number of locals and tourists to participate in the festival.

Thanh Quan commune has long been known as a "difficult area" in Thanh Hoa province. With over 95% of its population being Thai people, this area is considered the "cradle" nurturing the traditional culture of the Thai ethnic group. The Thai people in Thanh Quan commune have their own customs, traditions, and language, as well as a tradition of rice cultivation, animal husbandry, and brocade weaving. These traditional cultural values are gradually becoming tourism resources for the commune.

A highlight is the provincial-level historical and cultural relic, the Nine-Chamber Temple – a spiritual structure that contributes to a unique cultural space. If properly developed, this could become a key attraction linked to the local traditional cultural festivals. Located on Pú Pỏm hill, the Nine-Chamber Temple boasts architecture deeply rooted in the traditional culture of the Thái ethnic group in the area. The name "Nine-Chamber" originates from the nine main worship chambers, symbolizing the harmony between heaven, earth, and humanity. After years of deterioration, the Nine-Chamber Temple underwent restoration work starting in April 2016 and completed in September 2017. The temple is built in the stilt house style, consisting of 9 worship chambers corresponding to the 9 districts of the Thai ethnic group in Thanh Quan commune, including: Ton District, Pan District, Chun District, Puoc District, Quang District, Ha Quen District, Mieng District, Chon District, and Chong District. Besides worshipping deities, the Nine-Chamber Temple also venerates heroic martyrs, reflecting the principle of "drinking water, remembering the source" with respect to the homeland and the nation. In front of the temple, 9 stone buffaloes (6 black and 3 white) and 9 wells have been reconstructed, symbolizing the close connection between people and nature, agricultural beliefs, and the spirit of unity of the Thai community.

Every year at the beginning of spring, the "Offering Buffaloes to Heaven" festival at the Nine-Room Temple is organized by the local government, attracting thousands of locals and tourists from all over to offer incense and participate in the festival, expressing their reverence and gratitude to their ancestors and origins, and praying for national peace and prosperity, favorable weather, and bountiful harvests.

The diversity and richness of ethnic cultural values will create an attraction for tourism development. Therefore, to concretize the goal of economic development from tourism, Thanh Quan commune has strengthened propaganda work and raised awareness among people about developing community tourism associated with preserving the unique traditional culture of the Thai people.

After being informed by the local authorities about the tourism development plan, Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc's family in Na Ca 2 village came up with the idea and built the "Moc Son Quan" homestay – a space with rustic bamboo and rattan, close to nature, and reflecting the traditional style of the Thai people, to serve as a stopover for tourists and offer activities to experience local culture. "Tourists come to Thanh Quan commune not only to visit the Nine-Room Temple, but also to experience the life and activities of the local people. If we know how to exploit this properly, the people will have jobs and stable income right in their homeland," Ms. Ngoc shared.

Upon arriving in Thanh Quan commune, visitors also have the opportunity to explore Sao Va waterfall, admiring the cascading white water like a soft silk ribbon draped across the mountain. They can stay in stilt houses, participate in bamboo pole dancing, rice planting, bonfires, cultural exchanges, and enjoy local dishes and specialties.

Mr. Dam Van Thong, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Thanh Quan commune, said: "To make tourism a new direction for the socio-economic development of the locality, Thanh Quan commune has been focusing on effectively implementing the preservation and promotion of ethnic cultural values such as the Xang Khan Festival, the Cat Sa Festival, restoring folk games and performances such as throwing the ball, bamboo dancing...; investing in roads to some pristine waterfalls to develop tourism. We are determined to develop cultural and spiritual tourism and eco-tourism to create new livelihoods for the people."

To effectively exploit and develop its tourism potential, Thanh Quan commune needs to focus on investing in infrastructure, promoting and guiding local people to improve their tourism skills. Only then can this type of tourism develop sustainably, leveraging its strengths in natural resources and local culture, and contributing to improving the lives of the local people.

Article and photos: Ha Hong

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/khoi-day-tiem-nang-phat-trien-du-lich-o-xa-thanh-quan-260042.htm