Tourists experience "forest bathing" at Alba Wellness Resort.

Healing the soul

After months of struggling against the pandemic, work disruptions, and the suffocating crowds of the city, Nguyen Dieu Vinh, a female traveler from Ho Chi Minh City, decided to travel to Hue to rediscover herself. She chose a resort nestled at the foot of the majestic Truong Son mountain range, a place completely isolated from the honking of cars, the rumbling of machinery, and the hawkers' cries in the late nights that could wound her already fragile soul.

At her accommodation, every morning at dawn, the female traveler wakes up early, goes into the forest, and immerses herself in the green space, allowing her senses to perceive the green of the trees, the scent of lemon eucalyptus and wildflowers. She listens to the birds chirping, feels the touch of the rough, cool tree trunks, and is completely absorbed in the sights and sounds of nature. She breathes deeply and focuses on what her senses are receiving. This is how she experiences "forest bathing." These seemingly small discoveries and connections with nature are incredibly relaxing and blissful.

After two weeks in Hue , on the day of her departure, tourist Nguyen Dieu Vinh confided that she had had precious time to reflect on everything. Now, she feels at peace. No longer harboring negative thoughts, her "mind, body, and spirit" have become healthier. Perhaps this is thanks to the energy she absorbed from nature.

Coming from distant Germany, when visiting Hue, tourist Ander Charlotte chose to participate in a "forest bathing" tour in Bach Ma, organized by a Hue-based company. Having traveled extensively and participated in many "forest bathing" tours, whenever she arrives in a new place, Charlotte carefully observes everything from small plants growing at the base, such as mushrooms and moss, to the entire trunk and branches of trees, memorizing their colors, shapes, and structures. She listens attentively to the rustling of leaves, the chirping of birds flitting from branch to branch, or the gentle sound of flowing water, not missing even the smallest sound.

“I stood on top of a large waterfall, took off my shoes and placed my bare feet on the rocks, spread my arms wide, faced forward and took a deep breath to feel. The powerful currents of wind, air, water, trees, and earth… seemed to slowly enter my body. The feeling of this land was different; the energy was cool and pure. Furthermore, on the journey exploring the Bach Ma old-growth forest, the strength of the tree trunks, the softness of the leaves, and the rough pebbles all created fascinating experiences,” shared tourist Ander Charlotte.

Mr. Hylton Lipkin, General Manager of Alba Wellness Resort and an expert in wellness tourism, believes that trees, especially those in forests, have an air-purifying effect. During photosynthesis, trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. Many tree species, during their growth, release aromatic organic substances similar to pine oil. This substance inhibits and kills bacteria in the air, fights inflammation and cancer, and promotes the release of substances that regulate the body's growth and development. Forest air contains a large amount of beneficial negative ions. Plants also purify harmful gases and remove dust and dirt from the air. Therefore, after each trip to the forest, everyone can feel more refreshed.

Developing "forest bathing" tours.

Mr. Truong Thanh Minh, Director of the Tourism Information and Promotion Center, said that around the world, the "forest bathing" method of psychological and health therapy has been developed into attractive tourist tours. Especially after the pandemic, the trend of health-focused tourism, away from crowded places and seeking quiet locations, has become more popular. In Hue, some tourist destinations and travel companies have exploited the "forest bathing" product, such as Alba Thanh Tan, Bach Ma tours, and A Luoi. This is an attractive tour, and the tourism industry has developed and promoted it to attract tourists.

As one of the few companies offering "forest bathing" tours, Hue Connection Co., Ltd. provides programs that take visitors trekking, bathing in streams, camping under shady trees, and meditating... to help calm the mind and soothe negative emotions and worries. The combination of mindfulness and immersion in nature, feeling the sounds of the forest, the scent of plants, enjoying the cool air, and dissolving into the dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves.

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc An, Director of Hue Connection Co., Ltd., shared that through many direct experiences and taking tourists on such trips, he found the energy of the mountains and forests when he entered them. When he touched the magical colors of nature, smelled the scent of the forest, he was able to reflect on himself, without worry or judgment, only with empathy and gratitude for the present moment. Those moments of "forest bathing" helped him think and experience many things, leading to more mature, even bold, decisions in his thinking and approach to tourism.

According to businesswoman Ta Thi Ngoc Thao, owner of Cat Tuong Quan Meditation Center, Hue is a "heavenly" land. It possesses not only spiritual and cultural values ​​but also natural beauty that facilitates meditation and helps people find their true selves. Developing resorts at the foot of mountains and along riverbanks, where visitors can fully immerse themselves in nature, and including meditation and contemplation spots, would attract a specialized clientele with higher spending power.

Embracing the idea of ​​developing a "forest bathing" tourism product, Dr. Tran Dinh Hang, Director of the Hue Branch of the Vietnam National Institute of Culture and Arts, believes that this should be implemented soon and expanded in scale. It's like a "door" that, when opened, will introduce to tourists from all over the world a destination with incredibly diverse natural landscapes, containing profound mysteries. Hue tourism should open each "door," from culture, heritage, people, customs and traditions, to natural landscapes… to discover a beautiful Hue full of essence, which, once experienced, will bring wisdom, health, and human connection.

Duc Quang