Dao Lan Chau people do tourism

Mrs. Nguyen Thi Huyen, Lan Chau village prepares medicinal water to serve customers.

In a kitchen of about 20 square meters, next to a flickering fire and the aroma of medicinal plants spreading throughout the space, Ms. Nguyen Thi Huyen, Lan Chau village, shared with us about the journey of bringing medicinal plants to tourists. Ms. Huyen said: Traditional medicine recipes have been passed down through 4 generations in my family. My family has also practiced traditional medicine for a long time. Previously, my family mainly served the needs of the villagers. In 2022, when the commune government promoted and oriented the development of health care tourism services such as Dao herbal baths, foot baths, etc., I boldly invested in facilities, and the commune government supported bathtubs, water tanks, and signs to develop the service. Currently, on average, each month, my family serves 30-40 customers to experience health care and treatment services and sells 50-60 prescriptions of traditional medicine, bringing in an income of nearly 20 million VND/month.

Similar to Ms. Huyen's family, Dong Lam homestay, Lang Ben village, Huu Lien commune has also included the experience of health care using medicinal herbs of the Dao Lan Chau people in the services provided to tourists to increase attraction and create uniqueness. Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tung, owner of Dong Lam homestay, said: In addition to experiential tourism activities such as kayaking in the flood season, horse riding, making pumpkin cakes... we also provide Dao medicinal bath services, foot baths, massage therapy... Accordingly, we cooperate with Dao households in Lan Chau village who are knowledgeable about medicinal herbs and have the profession of dispensing traditional medicine to perform the service. On average, each month, the homestay welcomes 80 - 100 tourists, of which about 40% of tourists experience health care services using medicinal herbs. Through feedback, it shows that most tourists are very satisfied and enjoy this activity. Therefore, in the coming time, we will continue to maintain and promote this service to tourists.

It is known that in the commune there are currently 26 homestays and households developing health care services from medicinal herbs with precious remedies preserved through many generations of the Dao Lan Chau people. Some outstanding services include: medicinal baths, foot baths, massage therapy... The prices of the services are clearly listed by the establishments, ranging from 80,000 - 350,000 VND/service. On average, each establishment welcomes and serves 20 - 40 customers to experience the services each month.

Mr. Hoang Thanh Hieu, Head of the Department of Culture and Society of Huu Lien commune, said: In order to develop tourism in a sustainable direction, the department has advised the People's Committee of the commune to focus on orienting and exploiting the unique cultural identity of the locality to create a highlight to attract tourists. Accordingly, currently, the core attraction of Huu Lien lies in the rich cultural identity of ethnic minorities, which is cleverly exploited through the community tourism model. Notably, there is a model of health care and treatment tourism associated with the preservation of precious medicinal recipes of the Dao people in Lan Chau village. To support people in developing this model, from 2022 up to now, the commune government has supported 4 bathtubs, 1 water tank, 4 signposts for service businesses; integrated propaganda, instructed customer care skills for people; promoted promotion, connected tourists to experience the service...

In particular, in 2024, implementing Project 6 in the National Target Program for Socio -Economic Development of Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas, the Huu Lien Commune Government coordinated with relevant units to implement the project to Support Investment in Preserving the Traditional Cultural Village of Lan Chau Village. Accordingly, for the content related to the preservation of valuable medicinal recipes of the Dao Lan Chau people, the project implementing units integrated instructions on how to cook medicine, customer care and service skills, and introduction of tourism products... in the Pao Dung singing class; supported the installation of instruction boards on the process of preparing, processing, preserving traditional medicine and foot bath procedures for households providing services...

Thanks to the support of the government and the initiative of the people, health care services using precious medicinal herbs of the Dao Lan Chau people are increasingly developing, attracting the attention of tourists. Ms. Vu Kim Hoa, Tay Hoa Lu ward, Ninh Binh province said: Recently, I had the opportunity to travel to Huu Lien and was extremely impressed with the natural scenery and unique cultural features of the people here. In particular, I really enjoyed the experience of soaking my feet in medicinal water of the Dao Lan Chau people because it brought a pleasant and relaxing feeling.

To achieve the goal of developing tourism associated with preserving and promoting the value of national cultural identity, the Huu Lien commune government will continue to promote homestays and households to maintain and develop health care services; at the same time, mobilize people to exploit and conserve medicinal plant resources, limit rampant exploitation, thereby contributing to increasing people's income and developing Huu Lien tourism in a sustainable direction.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/nguoi-dao-lan-chau-phat-trien-du-lich-tu-duoc-lieu-5066781.html