The appeal of experiential tourism

Letting tourists experience daily activities with locals is one of the ways to create unique tourism features in Bao Yen.

Experiential tourism is becoming a trend for those who love to explore. Directly participating in agricultural production activities with the locals such as planting rice, catching fish, peeling cinnamon… makes tourists excited.

Mr. Dan and Mrs. Diana from Mexico had an interesting trip to Bao Yen district. Instead of going to big cities or famous, crowded tourist destinations, they chose a peaceful vacation with experiences of exploring villages in Vinh Yen and Nghia Do communes. For 3 days, they trekked to see people tending rice fields, catching fish, picking vegetables...

The tour organizer is Mr. Nguyen Van Gioi - a tour guide and also the owner of an eco-tourism model in Xuan Hoa commune, Bao Yen district.

After working in tourism in many places, in 2018, realizing that Xuan Hoa has a fresh climate, large land area, and the locality encourages people to develop the economy from cinnamon trees, Mr. Gioi built an eco-tourism model associated with cinnamon trees. With a large cinnamon area, in addition to letting tourists experience peeling cinnamon at his family's model, he organizes trekking for tourists to explore the route from Vinh Yen to Nghia Do. On average, he welcomes 3-4 groups of guests each week, most of whom are foreigners. He also coordinates with some homestays in Nghia Do commune to welcome guests to rest and enjoy local cuisine after trekking.

Mr. Gioi said: On this route, everyone is friendly and hospitable. When we entered the village, the people happily welcomed us, many even allowed us to pick fruit and share with tourists how to pick vegetables, weave, embroider, etc. The indigenous culture and landscape in Vinh Yen and Nghia Do are very suitable for tourists to experience. Besides, this route is on the way to Ha Giang, so it is easy to connect with tourists from many places.

In addition to trekking, tourists are also interested in the cuisine of the Tay people in Bao Yen. Homestay No. 2 of Mr. Hoang Van Bong's family in Muong Kem village, Nghia Do commune is one of the addresses known to tourists for its attractive culinary experiences. Mr. Bong always prepares traditional dishes of the Tay people such as boiled duck, grilled fish, buffalo skin salad, bamboo shoots stuffed with meat... to treat guests.

Mr. Bong shared: Many visitors come to the kitchen to watch me cook. They ask how to prepare this dish? What is nutritious about this dish? Some visitors even help me cook and steam sticky rice and enjoy participating in these activities.

Experiential tourism is a form of tourism that focuses on the personal experiences of each tourist. Whether traveling alone or in a group, tourists can learn many new things such as exploring local culture and cuisine.

Ms. Diana from Mexico said: Every country and people have their own culture. I am always curious about the culinary culture of the places I visit. Cooking with the locals is one of the ways to help me understand the culture better, and at the same time make the food I enjoy more appealing.

Realizing the development potential as well as the attractiveness of this type of tourism, in addition to exploiting tours, Bao Yen district also organizes festivals associated with experiential activities. The annual festival attracts a large number of tourists. During the upcoming April 30 - May 1 holiday, Bao Yen district continues to organize activities such as bird's nest catching competition, blindfolded duck catching, walking on a dugout bridge, throwing cone, carrying water, stilt racing, etc., promising to bring interesting experiences to the people and tourists.

With a tourism approach that respects existing values ​​and honors the unique traditional culture of the local people, we believe that experiential tourism in Bao Yen will become more and more attractive and attract more tourists.

* The article uses images of author Nguyen Gioi

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/suc-hap-dan-tu-du-lich-trai-nghiem-post383108.html