Long Coc: The dream of "transforming into a dragon"

If someone asks about a place where simply stopping, breathing slowly, and feeling the tranquility and romance is enough, the answer is undoubtedly Long Coc Tea Hill (Long Coc commune). People often liken it to a "Ha Long Bay on land," but for the locals who are deeply connected to the vast green expanse of the rolling tea hills stretching to the horizon, Long Coc is also a dream in the making.

Tourists enjoy the experience at Long Coc tea hill.

No longer confined to a small area, Long Coc commune today is a vast space of over 6,700 hectares after the merger of three communes: Tam Thanh, Vinh Tien, and Long Coc. Standing on the Horseshoe Hill, Bong 1 Hill, or Giat Hill early in the morning, you will see hundreds of dome-shaped hills emerging from the thin mist, looking like giant, lush green mounds of sticky rice.

But this beauty is not solely natural. It is the result of the efforts of over 8,700 people from 10 ethnic groups (of which the Muong and Dao people account for 85%). Each tea plantation is steeped in the sweat and diligent hands of the people over generations, transforming the barren mountains into a vibrant "green heritage land."

These specialty tea hills not only yield delicious tea leaves but also provide a stunning backdrop for tourists' photos.

Long Coc currently has over 1,100 hectares of tea plantations in production. However, the mindset of the local people has moved beyond simply "selling leaves for money." A revolution in quality has taken place: the people have switched to cultivating specialty tea varieties such as Bat Tien, PH1, and LDP1. Products that meet OCOP 4-star standards, such as "Bat Tien Premium Green Tea" or "Dinh Tea," are now available in provinces and cities everywhere, carrying the rich flavor of the ancestral land's mountains and forests far and wide.

The Chairman of the People's Committee of Long Coc commune, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Viet, once shared a very practical approach: "Developing tea cultivation must go hand in hand with protecting the landscape. Tea plants now have two tasks: providing delicious tea buds and serving as a beautiful backdrop to welcome tourists ..."

The allure of Long Coc is not limited to tea. Visitors are also captivated by unique local cultural values ​​such as the coming-of-age ceremony and the "Lap Tinh" dance of the Dao people, or the resonant gong melodies of the Muong people. In addition, scenic spots like Tap Waterfall, Nine-Tiered Waterfall, and May Pass are becoming new and exciting destinations for those who love exploration .

A view of Long Coc tea hill from above.

Currently, the commune has 6 well-established homestay establishments (such as Long Coc Ecolodge), welcoming approximately 3,000-4,000 visitors annually. These figures speak for themselves, proving that Long Coc is on the right track in combining agriculture and experiential tourism.

The autumn and winter seasons are typically the "off-season" for domestic tourism. However, thanks to its geographical advantages, natural beauty, and cultural identity, Phu Tho tourism in general, and Long Coc tourism in particular, has maintained stability and become an attractive destination for adventurous tourists and international visitors. Mr. Ha Van Luan, owner of Tony Luan homestay, said: "The allure of the tea hills helps my family welcome a significant number of guests on weekends, especially from September to December each year, when the tea hills are at their most beautiful. Furthermore, because it's located on the inter-provincial road to Lao Cai and Son La, the homestay also receives a considerable number of guests for lunch. My family has built additional rooms to accommodate groups of 40-50 people."

The resolution of the Long Coc Commune Party Committee has set an inspiring goal: By 2030, Long Coc will become a leading attractive green tourism destination in the country, striving to welcome 10,000 visitors annually. To realize this dream of "transforming into a dragon," Long Coc is gradually improving its infrastructure, from organizing a night market every Saturday evening to developing jogging and cycling routes around the tea hills. The ultimate goal is to build a circular economy model where every citizen can prosper on their own land.

The dream of "transforming into a dragon" at Long Coc is no longer far-fetched. It is present in the rich flavor of the tea, in the smiles of the local people, and in the satisfaction of every traveler who sets foot here. A "Green - Clean - Authentic" Long Coc is rising strongly, ready to become a "healing" destination for anyone who wants to reconnect with pristine nature.

Le Hoang

Source: https://baophutho.vn/long-coc-giac-mo-hoa-rong-244452.htm