Borrowing immense green tea hills and bamboo gardens to 'lure' tourists

Seeing the potential of the lush green tea hills, the resounding folk songs by the stream, and the rustic stilt houses of the Cao Lan people, young people have turned their hometown into a destination that attracts tens of thousands of tourists each year.

A young couple wearing ethnic costumes at the cool green tea hills in Xuan Luong ( Bac Ninh ) - Photo: THANH CONG

Having worked in tourism for nearly 10 years, Mr. Ngo Cao Kien - Executive Director of Ban Ven Xanh community eco-tourism area (Xuan Luong commune, Bac Ninh) - still remembers the image of the Cao Lan people preserving their traditional folk songs and typical cuisine after each day of picking tea on the vast grasslands, and from there, he found a way to tell special stories to attract tourists.

Getting rich from tea hills and stilt houses in Cao Lan

Thinking is doing, he and many young people and local people renovated Cao Lan stilt houses, decorated flower gardens, planted cool bamboo gardens...

"But at first it was very difficult. People did not have the expertise to receive guests professionally, so they had to be trained, their skills improved, and even sent to study at other tourist destinations," Mr. Kien confided.

Gradually, the tourist area and Ban Ven green tea trees became known to many people, the number of visitors here increased steadily by 20-25%/year, leading to the development of food and beverage services, entertainment, and agricultural products.

People have stable jobs, income 7-8 million VND/month.

"Many young people who used to have to work far from home and children now have stable jobs, some grow tea, pick tea, work in tourism, and pick up and drop off guests," Mr. Kien said excitedly.

Ms. Than Thi Sao Mai - Secretary of the Youth Union of Xuan Luong commune - said that the Youth Union regularly mobilizes and supports young people to start businesses right in the locality.

"The Ban Ven Xanh community eco-tourism area is a living example: developing green tourism, creating jobs for young people, and preserving national identity," she said.

In the near future, the Commune Youth Union will coordinate with socio-political organizations and the Social Policy Bank to support capital for young people with startup ideas. Promoting green agricultural products is also considered an important foundation.

A beautiful "flawless" photo angle of a female tourist at Cao Lan stilt house (Xuan Luong, Bac Ninh) - Photo: THANH CONG

Promoting multi-value agriculture

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Toan - Permanent Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Xuan Luong Commune (Bac Ninh) - said that the commune has more than 19,000 people, of which 57% are ethnic minorities such as Cao Lan, Tay, Nung...

With beautiful landscapes in Xuan Lung - Thac Nga, the Ban Ven Xanh community eco-tourism model is certified as 3-star OCOP, attracting about 50,000 visitors/year, contributing to building a multi-value agricultural orientation, increasing income for people.

"Tourists not only visit but also grow tea, pick tea, listen to Sinh Ca singing, helping to preserve, develop and spread local cultural values" - Mr. Toan said.

Mr. Tran Xuan Muoi - Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Xuan Luong Commune - said that the locality is orienting Ban Ven green tea towards a clean, high-quality, and high-value organic tea model. He expects all levels of industry and businesses to support and accompany in promoting green, sustainable agricultural products.

Cao Lan women support their families with Ban Ven green tea trees - Photo: HA QUAN

The vast green tea hills of Ban Ven are where young people choose to take photos to preserve memories - Photo: THANH CONG

According to the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Bac Ninh province, the province currently has 668 OCOP products with 3 stars or more, not only expanding the consumption market but also increasing farmers' income, contributing to the construction of new rural areas.

The Department, together with the Provincial Farmers' Association and other departments and agencies, continue to coordinate in building brands, trademarks, geographical indications, traceability stamps, and certification of typical agricultural products. Strengthen trade promotion, advertising, and introducing OCOP products, typical rural agricultural products, and at the same time research and advise on appropriate support policies.

HA QUAN

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/muon-doi-che-xanh-bat-ngat-vuon-tre-tit-tap-de-cau-khach-du-lich-20251201222517863.htm