Tourists experience the peaceful atmosphere at May Stream, Thach Quang commune. Photo: Hoang Dong.
Nestled amidst lush green mountains and forests, May Stream originates from the downstream of May Waterfall – a famous scenic spot in Thanh Hoa province. In recent years, along with the development of community tourism, people in the May Stream area have begun to build service points to cater to tourists. A highlight is the system of homestays featuring the traditional stilt houses of the Muong people. Notably, besides investing in infrastructure, local people have quickly embraced and utilized social media as an effective promotional channel. From short videos capturing tourists bathing in the stream, paddling rafts, and zip-lining... to simple images of meals by the stream, all are widely shared on TikTok and Facebook, attracting the attention of the online community.
Mr. Nguyen Van Doanh, owner of Doanh Thu Flower Garden in Thach Quang commune, one of the pioneering households in tourism development here, shared: “At the end of 2019, I started building a service facility with the desire to improve my family's economic situation . Before that, I worked many jobs such as motorbike taxi driver, restaurant worker, construction worker, car repairman... it was very hard work. When I saw more and more tourists coming to May Waterfall, I thought I could take advantage of this opportunity to develop tourism.” Thinking is doing, Mr. Doanh built a recreational and dining facility primarily serving tourists who want to visit, take photos, and enjoy day trips. Instead of following the trend of mass commercialization, he chose to develop tourism in conjunction with nature conservation. The forest remains intact, the stream water is still clear, and that is what creates the unique attraction of May Stream.
In particular, Mr. Doanh also utilizes social media to promote his establishment. His TikTok channel, "Doanh Thu Flower Garden," has attracted nearly 30,000 followers. "I started making TikTok videos about two years ago. Initially, I just filmed for fun, but then I saw the clear results. Many people watched the videos and then came to visit, and now, most people who come to my establishment book through Facebook or Zalo," Mr. Doanh shared. The peak tourist season at Suoi May lasts from the end of March to September, especially crowded during the summer. With an entrance fee of just 10,000 VND, visitors can experience many activities such as bathing in the stream, rafting, zip-lining, and stilt walking... "Thanks to promotion on social media platforms, on peak days, the number of visitors can reach up to 1,000 people, bringing in revenue of 70-80 million VND/day. Total income each season is estimated at over 1 billion VND if the weather is favorable," Mr. Doanh said.
Similar to Mr. Doanh, Ms. Bui Thi Ngan, owner of the "Leaving the City for the Forest" homestay in Thach Quang commune, has also quickly grasped the trend of promoting on digital platforms. Videos showcasing the homestay's space, daily life, and guest experiences that she posts receive high levels of interaction. As a result, the number of guests visiting the homestay is increasing, especially among young people. Ms. Lo Thi Ha, a tourist from Son La, shared: "I accidentally saw a video on TikTok about May Stream, and the scenery was so beautiful that I invited my friends to try it out. When I arrived, it was even more beautiful than in the video. The air is very fresh, and everything retains its natural beauty, making it perfect for those who like to come to a quiet place to relax." After seeing many videos and posts on social media, Mr. Tran Minh Duc, a tourist from Hanoi, was pleasantly surprised when he first experienced the activities and food there. Anh Duc said: “I had been to May Waterfall before, but I had never heard of May Stream. After seeing many people checking in on Facebook, I was curious to experience it. What impressed me most was the friendliness of the locals, the food was also very delicious, the prices were reasonable, and the atmosphere was very peaceful.”
Social media is increasingly becoming a powerful tool for people in mountainous areas to promote tourism quickly and effectively, at virtually no cost. Looking at the reality at service providers in Thach Quang commune, it's clear that the proactiveness and creativity of the local people are key factors. Instead of relying on traditional advertising channels or large-scale campaigns, they proactively tell their own stories through authentic and relatable images and videos. Beyond economic benefits, developing tourism through social media can also act as a "lever" to help disadvantaged areas improve and contribute to raising awareness among the people about environmental protection and preserving cultural identity. The widespread sharing of beautiful images also means that the people must be conscious of preserving the landscape, creating a positive impression on tourists. When people know how to take advantage of existing resources and combine them with modern tools, community tourism is not only an economic direction but also a way to preserve and spread the cultural and natural values of their homeland.
Phuong Do
Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/nguoi-dan-vung-cao-lam-du-lich-trong-thoi-dai-so-287085.htm
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