Allowing tourists to experience daily activities alongside the locals is one of the ways Bảo Yên has developed its unique tourism identity.
Experiential tourism is becoming a trend for those who love exploration. Directly participating in agricultural production activities with the locals, such as planting rice, catching fish, and peeling cinnamon, is a delightful experience for tourists.
Mr. Dan and Mrs. Diana from Mexico had an enjoyable trip to Bao Yen district. Instead of going to big cities or crowded tourist destinations, they chose a peaceful vacation exploring the villages in Vinh Yen and Nghia Do communes. Over three days, they trekked to observe the locals tending their rice fields, catching fish, and harvesting vegetables.
This tour was directly organized by Mr. Nguyen Van Gioi, a tour guide and also the owner of an ecotourism model in Xuan Hoa commune, Bao Yen district.
After working in tourism in many places, in 2018, recognizing that Xuan Hoa had a clean climate, vast land, and the local government encouraged people to develop the economy from cinnamon trees, Mr. Gioi built an eco-tourism model associated with cinnamon trees. With a large cinnamon plantation, in addition to letting tourists experience peeling cinnamon at his family's farm, he organizes trekking tours for visitors to explore the route from Vinh Yen to Nghia Do. On average, he welcomes 3-4 groups of tourists each week, mostly foreigners. He also collaborates with several homestays in Nghia Do commune to provide accommodation and local cuisine for guests after trekking.
Mr. Gioi said: "Along this route, the people are all friendly and hospitable. When we went into the villages, the locals happily welcomed us, and many even allowed us to pick fruit and shared with tourists how to harvest vegetables, weave baskets, and embroider... The local culture and landscape in Vinh Yen and Nghia Do are very suitable for tourists to experience. In addition, this route is on the way to Ha Giang, so it's easy to connect with tourists from many places."
Besides trekking, tourists are also interested in the Tay ethnic cuisine in Bao Yen. Homestay No. 2, owned by Mr. Hoang Van Bong's family in Muong Kem village, Nghia Do commune, is one of the places known to tourists for its attractive culinary experiences. Mr. Bong always prepares traditional Tay dishes such as boiled duck, grilled fish, buffalo skin salad, bamboo shoots stuffed with meat, etc., to treat his guests.
Mr. Bóng shared: "Many guests come into the kitchen to watch me cook. They ask how I prepare this dish? What are the nutritional benefits of this dish? Some tourists even help me cook, steam sticky rice, and enjoy participating in those activities."
Experiential tourism is a form of tourism that focuses on the personal experience of each traveler. Whether traveling alone or in a group, travelers can learn many new things, such as discovering local culture and cuisine.
Diana, from Mexico, said: "Every country and people has its own unique culture. I'm always curious about the culinary culture of the places I visit. Participating directly in cooking with the locals is one way I can gain a deeper understanding of the culture, and it also makes the food I enjoy even more appealing."
Recognizing the potential and attractiveness of this type of tourism, in addition to developing tours, Bao Yen district also organizes a festival with experiential activities. The annual festival consistently attracts a large number of visitors. During the upcoming April 30th - May 1st holiday, Bao Yen district will continue to organize activities such as swallow hunting competitions, blindfolded duck catching, walking on a single-plank bridge, throwing the "con" (a traditional game), carrying water, stilt racing, etc., promising exciting experiences for locals and tourists.
With a tourism approach that respects existing values and celebrates the unique traditional culture of the local people, we believe that experiential tourism in Bao Yen will become increasingly attractive and draw more tourists.
* This article uses images by author Nguyen Gioi.
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