An invitation from Thai Nguyen...

I've never set foot on the tourist train connecting Hanoi with Thai Nguyen. But, the enthusiastic introduction from the female tour guide at the Thai Nguyen Provincial Tourism Investment Promotion Center made me truly want to ride that train to the land along the Cau River. The introduction was like a heartfelt plea, an irresistible invitation. From driftwood scattered along the coast and riverbanks, craftsmen in the Hoi An driftwood village (Quang Nam) have "reborn" unique works of art, attracting domestic and international tourists to admire them... If the Political Report is a torch to light the way, then the Socio-Economic Report is a handbook for action to help us achieve our goals, General Secretary To Lam emphasized. Socio-economic issues are very broad, very difficult, highly specialized, and change very quickly; they need to be updated and supplemented regularly. I've never set foot on the tourist train connecting Hanoi with Thai Nguyen. However, the heartfelt introduction from the female tour guide of the Thai Nguyen Provincial Tourism Investment Promotion Center made me genuinely want to ride that very train to the land along the Cau River. The introduction resonated deeply, urging and inviting me in a way that was hard to refuse. According to local residents, some villages in Ba Che district (Quang Ninh province) still have poor mobile phone coverage. This has caused considerable difficulties in communication and access to digital transformation for both the people and the government. It also significantly impacts the socio-economic development of the locality. The ceremonial pole, the set of ceremonial sticks, and the decorations of the ceremonial pole are spiritual symbols and unique cultural features of the Co people, as they hold a particularly important and indispensable position in their spiritual life and festival activities such as the buffalo eating festival, the ca dao dance, the gong dance, etc. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation Day of Tra Bong District (March 18, 1975 – March 18, 2025), the District People's Committee organized an exhibition of decorated ceremonial poles of the Co ethnic group in the district. As a mountainous province still facing many difficulties and suffering heavy damage from typhoon No. 3; However, with the highest political determination, Lao Cai province is striving to complete the elimination of 100% of temporary and dilapidated houses throughout the province by the end of May 2025 with many decisive and synchronized solutions. On the afternoon of March 17, immediately after the conference announcing the draft report of Inspection Team No. 1910 to the Government Party Committee, Inspection Team No. 1908 of the Politburo and the Secretariat of the Central Committee held a conference to announce the draft report of the Team to the National Assembly Party Committee. The summary bulletin of the Ethnic Minorities and Development Newspaper. The morning bulletin of March 15 included the following noteworthy information: Bat Trang Village Festival is a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. The unique beauty of Tay Ninh Holy See. An old farmer transforms barren hills into a prosperous farm. Along with other current news in the ethnic minority and mountainous regions. On March 17, in the city... Pleiku, Gia Lai province, solemnly celebrated the 50th anniversary of the province's liberation (March 17, 1975 - March 17, 2025). To enhance community disaster resilience, the Quang Ninh Provincial Red Cross Society, in coordination with relevant departments and agencies, selected localities at high risk of natural disasters and storm surges to organize training on disaster prevention and response. In 2025, the Provincial Red Cross Society plans to organize nearly 20 training courses in 7 coastal localities... On March 17th, the Lang Son Provincial Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee, and Fatherland Front Committee held a ceremony to honor and reward collectives that have made significant contributions to the "Joining Hands to Eliminate Temporary and Dilapidated Houses" program in the province. On March 17th, the Bac Giang Provincial Union of Science and Technology Associations organized a scientific workshop to consult and critique the draft plan for the collection, transportation, and treatment of solid household waste in the province for the period 2025-2030. When apprehended by the Kien Giang Provincial Border Guard, the captain of the fishing vessel confessed that 21,000 liters of diesel fuel were purchased from an unknown vessel with the intention of reselling it for profit…

The beauty of Lake Nui Coc as seen from above.

The female tour guide excitedly announced: "It is expected that this April, the locality will launch a tourist train route connecting Hanoi with Thai Nguyen. On that train, tourists will be introduced to the land, people, and products of the region along the Cau River. For those who love tea, this is an ideal opportunity."

I exclaimed: "That's great! Combining the economy with tourism, and tourism with the economy, would be killing two birds with one stone. Once these two elements are harmoniously combined, it would be fantastic – you'd make money while still ensuring the environment meets all standards. Isn't that killing two birds with one stone?"

Upon inquiry, it was learned that this tourist railway line is approximately 80km long, launched on December 28, 2024; it stops at four main points: Pho Yen, Luu Xa, Thai Nguyen, and Quan Trieu stations, with a travel time of nearly 2 hours. The initiative was launched by tourism officials in Thai Nguyen province in collaboration with the Vietnam Railway Corporation.

Once operational, the tourist railway connecting Hanoi with Thai Nguyen will bring significant convenience; linking major tourist destinations and creating momentum to boost the province's socio-economic development to a new level.

This idea is truly creative and fascinating. Perhaps Thai Nguyen wants to invite friends from all over the world in its own unique way, starting with tourism; with the gentle, soothing nature of the "smoke-free economy"? Who knows, perhaps from that tourist train, amidst the lingering taste of "the finest tea," in the subtle aroma of tea ceremony... they might shake hands and sign cooperation agreements for potential development projects. It's also possible that, from the love, passion, and fascination with the famous products of this land along the Cau River, through the smooth and insightful introductions of the local mountain girls, they might choose this region as a destination for projects with a far-sighted and broad vision. It's quite possible.

Dinh Hoa ATK historical site

Just imagine. A province like Thai Nguyen, which is being developed into a regional center in the northern mountainous area, wouldn't have achieved such success by chance, thanks to the many advantages bestowed upon it by nature.

If iron and steel give life to the land along the Cau River, then tea – a beverage that captivates visitors from all over the world – has found its way into poetry, songs, music, and art, becoming the enduring proverb "Thai tea, Tuyen girls." Since the construction of the country's largest metallurgical plant in the 1960s, it has increasingly affirmed its importance as a crucial heavy industry of the nation. Thai Nguyen iron and steel are now present in national construction projects; they are also present on ships sailing across the seas to friends around the world, contributing significantly to the country's GDP each year.

Alongside iron and steel, tea cultivation in Thai Nguyen is increasingly establishing a firm position with its brand as "the finest tea." In terms of area and production, tea here ranks first. With over 22,500 hectares, tea cultivation generates approximately $1 billion USD annually. For an agricultural sector with many risks, this is a very significant value. Thai Nguyen tea products are present everywhere in the bustling city along the Cau River. Thai Nguyen tea products are becoming a luxury beverage, available in many demanding markets.

For a long time, the presence of Samsung Group in Thai Nguyen has made significant contributions and had a strong impact on the province's development direction towards modernizing its industrial sector.

To date, Thai Nguyen has attracted 313 investment projects in its industrial parks; including 175 FDI ​​projects with a registered capital of US$11.33 billion and 138 DDI projects with a registered capital of VND 22.365 trillion. And then, what was bound to happen did happen. In just three years, Thai Nguyen's PCI index increased continuously, from 28th place (2021) to 23rd place (2023). Thai Nguyen's investment appeal is strongly demonstrated by the shifting FDI flow, and Thai Nguyen is asserting itself as an attractive destination attracting a wave of investment relocation.

The author (wearing a blue and white shirt) is on a trip to explore the land and development potential of Thai Nguyen, experiencing the ecotourism model at Dung Tan Ecotourism Area in Song Cong City.

But that's not all. Thai Nguyen still has so much potential. Perhaps that's why the invitation from that land remains so heartfelt and captivating, like the gentle voice of the female tour guide from the Thai Nguyen Provincial Investment and Tourism Promotion Center throughout the journey; like the rich and subtle introductions of the many mountain girls in the Tan Cuong tea region… that we heard during our field trip. It was hard to refuse.

What has been said above is clear. Currently, Thai Nguyen is strongly oriented towards economic development by exploiting its potential and advantages to "fill" industrial parks and clusters, gradually forming a growth pole, a satellite of the capital.

Regarding attracting tourists, the focus will be on four directions: spiritual tourism associated with temples and pagodas; cave exploration tourism; eco-tourism and resort tourism associated with community tourism destinations; cave exploration tourism; and agro-tourism related to tea.

Agro-tourism linked to tea cultivation is one of the four major directions in the tourism sector that Thai Nguyen province is focusing on promoting.

For example, there are currently two golf course projects about to become operational, linked to tourist destinations in Thai Nguyen. The Tan Thai Golf Sports Complex project in Tan Thai commune, Dai Tu district (Thai Nguyen), located in the Ho Nui Coc National Key Tourist Area, is being developed by Tan Thai Golf Joint Stock Company with an area of ​​84.2 hectares and a total investment of 586 billion VND…

When we returned to Thai Nguyen, we had already enjoyed three out of four of those areas, leaving only cave exploration tourism to be explored. However, as visitors from afar, we felt that the people of Thai Nguyen are incredibly warm, hospitable, and thoughtful. Perhaps that's why we feel that Thai Nguyen's tourism development is so effortless and successful so quickly. To give an example, artificial freshwater lakes like Ke Go Lake (Ha Tinh), Cau Cau Dam (Thanh Chuong, Nghe An)... and many other strategically located lakes and dams... are still very modest, if not rudimentary. Meanwhile, Nui Coc Lake is bustling. Exploring Nui Coc Lake by boat is a highlight of any visit to Thai Nguyen.

One day in Thai Nguyen is not enough to fully appreciate, see, and experience all the essence of the land and people of this place. I promise myself that I will return to Thai Nguyen soon, as long as the people and the land along the Cau River remain as warm, hospitable, and inviting as they once were.

The newspaper "Ethnic Groups and Development" held a thematic discussion in Thai Nguyen.

Source: https://baodantoc.vn/loi-moi-goi-tu-thai-nguyen-1742216482505.htm