Ngoi Tu: Developing tourism from identity

About 60km from the provincial center, following the Dong Ho Thac Ba route, visitors will arrive at Ngoi Tu cultural village in Thac Ba commune. Not only charming by the peaceful countryside scenery, Ngoi Tu is also a place where the unique traditional cultural values ​​of the Dao, Cao Lan, Nung ethnic groups converge, in which the Dao people in white pants account for 63.8%, creating a unique identity for this land.

Like every day, Ms. Ban Thi Chung, dressed in traditional Dao ethnic costumes, is busy decorating her stilt house to make it more cozy and cultural with weaving looms, Dao ethnic costumes, production tools, ancient books... to prepare for welcoming visitors. Meanwhile, Mr. Dai, her husband, takes the time to trim flower pots, rearrange the landscape around the house, and make tea to welcome guests.

Mr. Dai said that 10 years ago, realizing the potential of community tourism in the locality, he and his wife boldly renovated their family's stilt house to provide services according to the homestay model; focusing on exploiting traditional cultural values ​​to meet the needs of tourists, while also learning English and participating in training courses on tourism management. After nearly 10 years of hard work, the family's homestay now has 7 closed rooms (bungalows) and 1 community house, accommodating about 20 people.

Ngoi Tu - A highlight of the mountainous region.

Ngoi Tu village currently has nearly 160 households, of which 20 households are engaged in community tourism. Thanks to investment in quality and identity, Ngoi Tu has become an attractive and appealing destination. Every year, the village welcomes tens of thousands of domestic and international tourists, mainly from countries such as: France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Australia...

Mr. Dang Van Yen - Head of Ngoi Tu village proudly shared: "Coming to Ngoi Tu, visitors can not only immerse themselves in the clear blue water, enjoy the fresh air, explore the beautiful scenery of the land located next to the poetic Thac Ba lake, but also enjoy the specialties of the ethnic people, experience the traditional embroidery craft, immerse themselves in the folk songs, dances, music... of the indigenous people. In addition, visitors can also explore the countryside by motorbike, fully feeling the leisurely, slow pace of life in Ngoi Tu".

Tourists are immersed in local culture.

With the goal of building a model of experiential tourism, rural landscape tourism associated with agricultural tourism, homestays in the area have built tours to help tourists have the opportunity to experience the life of farmers and directly participate in farm work such as plowing, planting, harvesting agricultural products... creating a close space, blending with nature, bringing special love to tourists.

Jonash, a tourist from France, said: “The first impression I had when I arrived here was the quiet, fresh air and friendly people. I really like the traditional culture, customs, daily life and production of this land. That made me curious and wanted to explore and experience it.”

The light from the traditional stilt houses makes Ngoi Tu sparkle and strangely beautiful at night.

To promote the development of community tourism in Ngoi Tu, recently, Thac Ba commune has had many support policies, opened training classes, and instructed villagers on how to do tourism effectively and professionally; encouraged people to learn English and use social networking platforms to promote local tourism.

The village also regularly mobilizes people to join hands in cleaning the village roads and alleys, making local specialties and products as tourist gifts; mobilizing people to regularly wear traditional costumes in daily life and maintain traditional festivals. At the same time, it establishes art troupes, organizes the restoration of traditional dances and folk songs of the Dao people, and then practices them well to perform every time tourists come to relax.

Ms. Dang Thi Ba - Captain of the Dao ethnic folk art troupe expressed: "Being able to contribute our small efforts in preserving cultural identity is the joy and pride of each sister in the troupe. We not only get to perform and spread the culture of our ethnic group but also earn extra income from these activities."

International tourists take souvenir photos at a homestay in Ngoi Tu Community Tourism Village.

After nearly 20 years of development, Ngoi Tu has become a community tourism village next to Thac Ba Lake, an attractive destination for domestic and foreign tourists, contributing to creating jobs and increasing income for local people.

Mr. Dinh Manh Toan - Head of the Department of Culture and Society of Thac Ba commune, said: "In the coming time, we will advise on continuing to organize folk cultural and artistic activities, open classes to teach ethnic cultures, coordinate to organize tourism training classes for people... contributing to building Ngoi Tu into a unique, safe and friendly destination."

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/ngoi-tu-phat-trien-du-lich-tu-ban-sac-post885981.html