Preserving culture, preserving the soul of tourism
In the story of developing tourism in the highlands, there are many pioneers. But in the mountainous district of Tua Chua ( Dien Bien province), which seems to be “asleep” in the middle of the Northwest, the name Dang Tien Cong is a smoldering fire, quietly awakening the potential from the ground, from the simple people and the cultural identity waiting to shine.
Dang Tien Cong - the young man who keeps the fire burning with his love for Tua Chua land. Photo: Thu Thuy |
We met him during a tour in Tua Chua. Although the group included officers from the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Dien Bien province, when arriving at this "primitive and mysterious" land, we still needed Mr. Cong's support, because " he is a person who understands the local people and is a cultural officer who is dedicated to the people " - Ms. Nguyen Thi Thao, a cultural officer of the province shared.
Originally a natural science teacher, then working at the Department of Education and the Tua Chua District Youth Union, and now an officer of the district's Department of Culture, Science and Information, Dang Tien Cong not only possesses a solid knowledge base, but also has a great love for his homeland. That love is not expressed in flowery words, but is expressed through trips through the mountains and forests, step by step surveying villages and hamlets, visiting each household in remote areas to better understand the natural and cultural values that this land possesses.
The beautiful scenery of Tua Chua was captured by Dang Tien Cong. |
“I always wonder how to make Tua Chua no longer a forgotten land on the tourist map. Because Tua Chua has all the beauty that the Northwest has such as mountains, rocks, forests, rivers, unique cultural identity… The most important thing is to awaken the right values, in a sustainable way, without losing the roots of the community ,” Mr. Cong shared.
Not only recognizing the potential, Mr. Cong also understands that: If the cultural identity is not preserved, Tua Chua will only be a pale copy of other tourist destinations. Therefore, in the journey of developing community tourism, he always emphasizes the factor of "preserving the soul" - preserving the customs, costumes, house rules, markets and original lifestyle of the Mong, Dao, Thai people...
The ancient Shan Tuyet tea area is preserved by the locals as a treasure. Photo: Dang Tien Cong |
“ Beautiful nature only impresses for a few minutes, but culture and people hold tourists back for a long time ”, from that awareness, he mobilizes households to preserve stone fences, houses, wear traditional costumes every day, maintain markets and spring festivals as “living tourism products”.
With his insight, he also volunteered to be a free tour guide for many groups of tourists when they came to Tua Chua, connecting tours between Tua Chua - A Pa Chai - Dien Bien Phu City - Muong Lay - Pha Din Pass. These are inter-regional journeys that help Tua Chua no longer be alone, but become an important "string" in the journey to explore Dien Bien - Northwest.
From OCOP products to local brands
Not only developing tourism, Dang Tien Cong is also an active supporter of the community to preserve and enhance local products. He clearly understands that Tua Chua's strengths lie in the rocky mountains, the quintessence of agricultural potential and the hands of the people.
Pristine and mysterious beauty at Tua Chua (Dien Bien province). Photo: Dang Tien Cong |
From corn grown on the rocky plateau, the Mong people brew Ta Chai corn wine with strong aroma, creating a unique OCOP product. Or ancient tea trees are hand-picked and processed into famous black tea, white tea... all of which are products carrying the "soul of Tua Chua land". Mr. Cong has connected production groups, supported the process, design, and market access, contributing to spreading Tua Chua specialties further.
“I always think that, with advantages and reality, local economic development must be based on tourism and high-quality agricultural products associated with identity. Only then can we preserve the land and people,” he shared passionately.
Scenes of daily life and "keeping the culinary fire alive" of the Mong people in Tua Chua were recorded by Dang Tien Cong. |
Mr. Dang Tien Cong has not only studied and researched deeply his own native culture, but also worked in community tourism, guided regional tours, mobilized socialization, consulted on OCOP... and above all, is a strong inspiration to his fellow countrymen.
He not only “draws the road” but also “leads the way” for the people: No exploitation of tourism in an exploitative manner, no monopoly, no cheap commercialization. “Doing tourism requires heart and soul. If we can keep customers today, they will come back and bring their friends,” he said.
Thanks to this methodical and in-depth approach, many households in Tua Chua have now begun to transform: from purely farming to small service businesses, opening homestays, displaying products, telling folk stories... Each person becomes a true tourism "ambassador".
Dang Tien Cong - the young man who "sowed" sustainable tourism seeds from within the community. Photo: Thu Thuy |
In the eyes of many people, Mr. Cong is an ordinary cadre. But in the story of Tua Chua land - where more than 70% are Mong people, the rest are Dao, Thai, Kho Mu, Phu La ethnic groups... - he is a special factor, a person who understands each village, each house, each ancient story.
From that foundation, he has contributed to shaping the strategy for community tourism development, giving opinions on destination planning, building a set of sustainable tourism criteria, helping Tua Chua position its own identity instead of "following" mass trends.
Dang Tien Cong is not a professional tourism worker, nor is he a businessman who owns a large project, but he is the one who “sows the seeds” of sustainable tourism from within the community. For people like him, Tua Chua is no longer a “sleeping princess”, but is gradually waking up, showing off its pristine beauty, rich in identity in the vast Northwest. |
Source: https://congthuong.vn/lam-du-lich-bang-trai-tim-hanh-trinh-lan-toa-ocop-cua-chang-trai-tua-chua-390470.html
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