Thanh Hoa develops rural tourism associated with new rural construction

Thanh Hoa has an area of 11,114.70 km², the 5th largest in the country, with a population of 3,640,128 people (ranked 3rd in the country). The province identifies rural tourism development as one of the key solutions and tasks to contribute to the development of agriculture and rural areas of the province. Thereby, arousing the potential and advantages of rural areas, associated with the development of community tourism, rural tourist destinations, and at the same time diversifying rural service industries to increase farmers' income... contributing to the development of the rural economy , building new rural areas (NTM) in depth, effectively and sustainably.

Thanh Hoa rural area is a large area including many different types of terrain, intertwined such as: Mountainous, midland, plain and coastal terrain. Mountainous and midland terrain is distributed in 11 mountainous districts in the west of the province, which is a place with favorable conditions for the development of forest products, fruit trees, industrial trees. At the same time, there are many majestic natural landscapes, many caves, grottoes, forests, lakes, fresh and cool climate and is the habitat of many endemic and rare species of animals and plants such as: Pu Luong and Pu Hu Nature Reserves; Ben En forest and lake, Cua Dat - Xuan Lien Nature Reserve...

The Thanh Hoa Delta is made up of alluvium, spread over a wide surface, slightly inclined towards the sea, growing many types of food crops, flowers, fruit trees, etc. In particular, the coastal area, with a 102 km long coastline, stretching from Nga Son district to Nghi Son town, the flat coastline with a relatively shallow and wide terrace creates many famous beaches, such as: Sam Son, Hai Hoa, Hai Tien, Tien Trang... are very attractive tourist destinations, attracting a large number of domestic and foreign tourists.

Fishermen in Sam Son city exploit seafood near shore to serve tourists

Besides the natural geographical advantages, other potentials for rural tourism development are also very diverse and rich. Thanh Hoa is known as a land of "geomancy and talent" with a long history and unique cultural traditions. The province has over 1,535 historical and cultural relics, of which 854 are ranked, with 01 World Cultural Heritage, 05 special National relics, 139 National relics and 709 provincial relics. In particular, there are large relic clusters with high historical value such as Ho Dynasty Citadel, Lam Kinh historical and cultural relic site, Ba Trieu temple...

In addition, Thanh Hoa's intangible cultural system is also very diverse and unique, from art forms, singing on the Ma River to folk songs and dances (Ma River singing, Xoan singing, Dong Anh lantern dance, Xuan Pha performance, Sap dance, Xoe dance...). Thanh Hoa also has many festivals, such as Ba Trieu Temple Festival, Lam Kinh Festival, Song Son, Han Son, Bim Son... and many famous culinary dishes, such as Phu Quang Lam tea, Tu Tru sticky rice cake, Luan Van grapefruit, ginseng, sour sausage, coconut, Muc River carp, Ba Lang fish sauce...; there are many traditional craft villages (Thieu Trung bronze casting village, Nhoi mountain stone craft, Nga Son sedge mat, Ba Thuoc brocade...). These are very favorable conditions for building and providing tourists with many products and services when participating in rural tourism activities.

Tu Tru sticky rice cake making village, Tho Dien commune, Tho Xuan district is visited by many tourists when coming to Lam Kinh historical and cultural relic site.

Implementing the Rural Tourism Development Program in the construction of new rural areas, Thanh Hoa province has issued a plan to implement the Program for the period of 2023-2025 and issued an annual plan. Organize training on knowledge of rural tourism development for owners and rural tourism workers in the area; direct localities with potential for rural tourism development to develop projects and plans to implement the program. Select many potential tourism and community tourism models to build into OCOP tourist destinations such as: May waterfall community tourism development model, model in Thach Lam commune, Thach Thanh district; Don village community tourism development model, Thanh Lam commune, Ba Thuoc district; Dong Quan waterfall tourism development model, Hoa Quy commune, Nhu Xuan district; Cua Dat lake tourism development model and Ma village community tourism model, Thuong Xuan district; Yen Trung general commercial service area, Yen Trung commune, Yen Dinh district; Kim Son Mountain Scenic Area, Vinh An Commune, Vinh Loc District...

Thanh Hoa aims to have 05 rural tourism spots recognized as OCOP by the end of the 2021-2025 period, associated with the advantages of agriculture, culture, craft villages or local ecological environment. Including: a value chain model of processed products from cay at the Quang Phuc Agricultural Production, Business and Service Cooperative, Quang Xuong District. A model of developing tourism in Huou Waterfall, Co Lung Commune, Ba Thuoc District, Thanh Hoa Province. A model of developing a chain of agricultural and rural tourism linking destinations, forming a Pu Luong tour associated with agriculture and rural areas in Ba Thuoc District. A model of developing a chain of agricultural and rural tourism associated with community tourism in Hang village, Phu Le commune, Quan Hoa District, Thanh Hoa Province and a tourism development model in Nang Cat village, Tri Nang commune, Lang Chanh District, Thanh Hoa Province.

Homestays at Pu Luong Commune Tourist Site, Ba Thuoc District have unique architectural designs that help visitors connect and get close to nature.

Mr. Cao Van Cuong, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief of the Office of the Provincial New Rural Development Program Coordination, said: In the coming time, Thanh Hoa will continue to focus on a number of key tasks and solutions such as: Upgrading and investing in developing rural tourism sites associated with implementing new rural construction criteria, arranging suitable spaces for tourism development potential, both preserving traditional identities and ensuring convenient resting conditions for tourists; developing high-quality rural tourism human resources, helping tourists have a complete cultural and natural experience; building a professional, friendly, safe and civilized tourism culture, determined to make Thanh Hoa rural tourism increasingly sustainable.

Source