Mr. Nguyen Van Tuan, Director of Jasmine Tour Ha Giang Tourism Company, said: “Initially, with the goal of creating long-term livelihoods for poor people, the company decided to implement a program to support people with seedlings for planting production forests and fruit trees. But when implementing it, we decided to cooperate with the people to organize for tourists to directly plant trees. This not only achieved the initial goal but also created a memorable experience for tourists on their journey to explore the Dong Van Stone Plateau.”
With this idea in mind, starting in April 2026, the company will implement the "Today Green - Tomorrow Flourishing" project by working directly with disadvantaged households who own forest land and have a need to plant economic forests and fruit trees to participate in the project. Once the people agree to participate, depending on the terrain and soil conditions, the company will select suitable tree species. In dry, rocky mountainous areas with cold climates like Dong Van, Meo Vac, and Yen Minh, cypress trees and temperate fruit trees are preferred due to their good adaptability to the climate and soil conditions. For lowland mountainous communes, economically valuable tree species such as acacia and pine are chosen. All seedlings are purchased from reputable nurseries in the province.
At the start of their exploration of the Dong Van Karst Plateau, each tourist is given a sapling. Tourists will be guided to plant trees at various stops along their tour; the planting process involves the participation of the landowner, tour guide, and driver.
In early June, in the hilly area near Bac Sum slope in Minh Tan commune, more than 30 tourists enthusiastically participated in tree planting. Hoes, prepared by the landowner, were passed from hand to hand, and holes were quickly dug on the hillside. Some held the trees, others tilled the soil, and still others watered them. In a short time, hundreds of acacia saplings were planted, bringing joy and excitement to those experiencing this unique activity for the first time.
Harmon Fisher, a tourist from the United States, said: “This was the most memorable experience of my trip. Not only did I get to explore the beautiful scenery, but I also had the opportunity to leave a tangible mark on the land I visited. The newly planted trees will be a reason for me to return here in the future.”
Not only international tourists, but many domestic tourists also consider this activity an interesting experience. Mr. Hoang Quyet Tien from Hanoi shared: “My family is very happy to have a trip to Dong Van Karst Plateau, a pristine and majestic land, especially to be able to plant a tree with our own hands in this harsh land, which makes the trip even more meaningful.”
Mr. Phuong Ta Son, a project manager, said: “Instead of just bringing tourists to visit and admire the scenery, we want them to leave behind a practical value for the destination. Each tree planted not only contributes to greening the hillsides and mountain slopes but also becomes a memento connecting tourists with the land they have visited.”
Since the project was launched, approximately 5,000 tourists have participated in this meaningful experience, and the same number of trees have been planted on the hillsides of many poor households living along the tourist routes in the Dong Van Karst Plateau.
The project not only contributes to environmental protection but also creates long-term livelihoods for people in the highlands. A prime example is the family of Mr. Thò Mí Sình, in Há Chớ village, Lũng Phìn commune, who were selected to participate in the project. On their previously abandoned hillside land, tourists planted thousands of oil palm trees this past May. “My family is very happy to receive support from the project and the tourists. The land was previously mostly covered with bushes, but now that tourists have planted oil palm trees, it will provide me with a future source of income,” Mr. Thò Mí Sình shared.
Mr. Nguyen Van Tuan, Director of Jasmine Company, said: “On average, the company organizes tours for about 15,000 tourists each year. With the aim of each tourist planting a tree, we have maintained this project for many years to work towards the larger goal of planting one million trees for the people on the Dong Van Karst Plateau.”
Source: https://nhandan.vn/moi-du-khach-trong-mot-cay-xanh-post968856.html
