Tourists experience "forest bathing" at Alba Wellness Resort

Healing the soul

After months of struggling to fight the pandemic, the disruptions of work, the cramped and suffocating atmosphere of the urban area... female tourist Nguyen Dieu Vinh, from Ho Chi Minh City, decided to "move" to Hue to have moments to find herself again. The female tourist chose a resort located at the foot of the majestic Truong Son mountain range, a place completely separated from the sound of car horns, the roar of engines, and the cries of vendors late at night that seem to tear apart the wounded souls...

At the accommodation, every morning at dawn, the female tourist wakes up very early, goes into the forest, immerses herself in the green space, lets her senses feel the green color of the trees, the scent of lemon eucalyptus and wild grass. Listen to the chirping of birds, feel each touch of the rough tree trunks, feel the coolness. Immerse yourself in the scenery and sounds of nature. Take a deep breath and focus on what your senses are receiving. That is the way of "forest bathing" that the female tourist participates in experiencing. The discoveries and connections seem small but are extremely relaxing and happy.

After 2 weeks in Hue , on the day of parting, female tourist Nguyen Dieu Vinh confided that she had had precious time to reflect on everything. Now the female tourist seems to have settled herself. No more negative thoughts, "mind, body and spirit" become healthy. Perhaps it is thanks to the energy absorbed from nature.

Coming from faraway Germany, when coming to Hue, tourist Ander Charlotte chose to join the “forest bathing” tour in Bach Ma organized by a company in Hue. Having traveled to many places and participated in many “forest bathing” tours, every time coming to a new land, tourist Ander Charlotte chooses to look carefully at the small plants growing at the base such as mushrooms, moss, to the entire tree trunk, branches and remember the color, shape, and structure in her mind. Listening to the rustling sound of leaves, the chirping of birds, or the sound of water flowing from somewhere, not missing even the smallest sound.

“I stood on top of a large waterfall, took off my shoes and put my bare feet on the rock face, spread my arms wide, looked forward and took a deep breath to feel. The power of wind, air, water, trees, soil... seemed to slowly enter my body. The feeling of this land is so different, that source of energy is cool and pure. In addition, on the journey to explore Bach Ma old forest, the strength of the tree trunks, the softness of the leaves, or the rough pebbles all create interesting experiences”, tourist Ander Charlotte felt.

Mr. Hylton Lipkin, General Manager of Alba Wellness Resort, a health tourism expert, believes that trees, especially those in the forest, have the effect of cleaning the air. When trees photosynthesize, they can absorb enough carbon dioxide and release oxygen. Many species of trees, during their growth, can emit organic substances with a scent similar to pine oil. This substance has the effect of inhibiting and killing bacteria in the air, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and promoting the secretion of substances that regulate the body's growth and development. The air in the forest contains a large amount of negative ions that are beneficial to health. Plants also have the effect of purifying harmful gases and dust, sand and dirt in the air... Therefore, after each trip to the forest, everyone can feel their body more refreshed.

Exploiting the "forest bathing" tour

Mr. Truong Thanh Minh, Director of the Tourism Promotion Information Center, said that in the world, the psychological and health therapy method of "forest bathing" has been exploited into attractive tours. Especially after the epidemic broke out, the trend of health care tourism, leaving crowded places and finding quiet places is chosen more. In Hue, some tourist destinations and travel companies have exploited the product of "forest bathing", such as in Alba Thanh Tan, Bach Ma tour, or A Luoi. This is an attractive tour, the tourism industry has built tours and promoted to attract visitors.

As one of the few units operating “forest bathing” tours, Hue Connection Company Limited has programs to take visitors “trekking” (walking), bathing in streams, camping under shady trees, meditating… to help calm the mind and spirit of visitors, helping to soothe negative emotions and sadness. The combination of mindfulness and immersion in nature, feeling the sound of the forest, the scent of grass and trees, enjoying the cool air and melting into the rays of sunlight peeking through the leaves.

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc An, Director of Hue Connection Company Limited shared that through many times of direct experience and taking guests to experience, when entering the forest, there I found the energy sources of the mountains and forests. When I touched the magical color palettes of nature, touched the scent of the forest, then I touched to look back at myself, without worrying, without judging, only empathy and gratitude for the present. Those moments of "forest bathing" helped me think and experience many things, make more mature, even bold decisions in the way I think and act about tourism.

Businesswoman Ta Thi Ngoc Thao, owner of Tinh Cu Cat Tuong Quan, assessed that Hue is a "heavenly" land. Not only in terms of spiritual and cultural values, but also in terms of nature, it helps people meditate and find their true selves. Forming resorts at the foot of mountains, along both sides of rivers, where tourists can freely immerse themselves in nature. In those places, there are places for tourists to meditate, to contemplate... then Hue will attract specialized customers with high spending levels.

With the idea of ​​​​forming a "forest bathing" tourism product, Dr. Tran Dinh Hang, Director of the Vietnam National Institute of Culture and Arts in Hue, said that it is something that needs to be implemented soon and expanded in scale. It is like a "door" that, when opened, will introduce to friends and tourists everywhere about a destination with extremely diverse natural landscapes, containing profound mysteries. Hue tourism should open each "door", from culture, heritage, people, customs, to natural landscapes... to see a beautiful Hue filled with the quintessence, which when touched will be intelligence, health and people.

Duc Quang