Developing souvenir products and tourist gifts

Tourist gift products contribute to increasing the attractiveness of destinations, encouraging spending and promoting local images. However, the Cao Bang souvenir market still has many "gaps", not meeting the needs and tastes of tourists.

Most tourists, when going sightseeing and experiencing, have the need to learn and choose to buy souvenirs, both as gifts for relatives and friends, and to recall memories after the journey. These can be products associated with the destination such as: symbols, models, pictures or brocade, handicrafts, jewelry, dresses, shirts, scarves, hats... with typical cultural values, crystallizing the labor of indigenous people and traditional artisans.

To have a complete and attractive tour for tourists, shopping for gifts and regional specialties is indispensable. Building and diversifying souvenir products is also one of the ways to promote tourism brands, attract domestic and international tourists and investors.

Luong Noi brocade products (Ha Quang) are introduced at Kim Dong Walking Street (City).

Ms. Bui Thi Thanh Mai, a tourist from Hai Phong, shared: The first time I set foot in Cao Bang, in addition to visiting famous scenic spots and experiencing culinary culture, I also bought Trung Khanh chestnuts, Phuc Sen knives, brocade bags and conical hats of the Tay ethnic group.

Cao Bang is a convergence of the cultural quintessence of the Tay, Nung, Mong, Dao, San Chi, Lo Lo ethnic groups... with unique customs, practices, beliefs, festivals, and folk arts. In the province, there are many traditional craft villages and occupations that have been preserved and conserved through many generations such as Phuc Sen blacksmith village, Hoang Dieu conical hat making village, Dia Tren village paper making craft (Quang Hoa), Luong Noi brocade weaving craft village (Ha Quang), weaving craft (Thach An), silver carving, beeswax printing craft (Nguyen Binh)... With advantages in natural landscape, culture, history, and people, Cao Bang welcomes millions of tourists every year. Therefore, the development of souvenirs and gifts in the direction of cultural identity is very necessary to create unique features and position the image of Cao Bang on the Vietnam tourism map.

In recent times, the province has paid attention to restoring and developing craft villages in association with improving the quality of OCOP products; increasing participation and organizing trade and tourism promotion activities to display and introduce local specialties. At the same time, encouraging people to research and develop product designs and packaging suitable to customers' tastes; including some typical craft villages in programs, tours, and tourist routes.

Products of Phuc Sen forging village (Quang Hoa) are favored by many customers.

However, in reality, the market for gifts and souvenirs in the province has not developed commensurate with its inherent tourism strengths. The products are still monotonous, mainly agricultural products, confectionery, beverages, medicinal herbs, while there are not many handicrafts of a souvenir nature. Some items do not ensure optimal quality and size for tourists, especially foreign tourists, to conveniently transport and preserve for a long time. There is a lack of information and signs to identify tourist destinations or to bear the unique characteristics of the land and ethnic communities; communication, advertising and marketing skills are limited. People in craft villages have not focused on producing tourist gifts to promote their brands and create sustainable competitive advantages...

In order not to leave the potential market of souvenirs and tourist gifts untapped, the province needs to strengthen the direction of sectors, localities, individuals and businesses interested in exploiting and developing souvenir and gift products. Strengthen training for the tourism community, people to better understand the characteristics of the place they are attached to, thereby promoting the creation of many souvenir products bearing the cultural identity of the land and people of Cao Bang. In addition, it is necessary to plan, support capital, production technology and have guidance and advice on designs, styles and materials; encourage the use of environmentally friendly materials. Create links between production and business establishments and travel agencies in the promotion and consumption stages; focus on registering intellectual property protection for products. Organize competitions for creative ideas, design of tourism products, gift packaging, etc.

The development and diversification of souvenir and gift products not only contributes to attracting tourists but also motivates the transformation of the “smokeless industry” into a key economic sector. Delicate and impressive gifts will add to the beauty and attractiveness of Cao Bang.

Phuong Anh

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