Dong Hoa Hiep (Cai Be district, Tien Giang province) is one of the communes with a long history and culture, famous for the ancient village of Dong Hoa Hiep, which was recognized as a National Monument by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2017.
Developing rural tourism model
Dong Hoa Hiep ancient village is also in the top 3 ancient villages of Vietnam selected by the General Department of Tourism and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to invest in developing a rural tourism model.
With the advantage of being located at the confluence of Tien River and Cai Be River, Dong Hoa Hiep commune focuses on promoting the potential of labor, land, and industries for sustainable economic development, contributing to the innovation of agriculture - farmers - rural areas and successfully building new rural areas in the area.
In particular, promoting the tourism strengths of Dong Hoa Hiep ancient village is considered an important orientation associated with the Tien Giang river eco-tourism model and specialty fruit gardens that the locality is making efforts to effectively exploit.
Dong Hoa Hiep ancient village currently has 7 ancient houses from 150-220 years old and 29 houses from 80-100 years old, 3 pagodas and 1 communal house over 100 years old. Famous are Mr. Kiet's ancient house (Phu Hoa hamlet), Ba Duc's ancient house (An Loi hamlet), Mr. Xoat's ancient house (An Thanh hamlet)... Of which, Mr. Xoat's ancient house is the oldest, built in 1818.
The common features of the ancient houses here are tall wooden pillars; rafters, armrests, walls, partitions... are all made of wood. The interior is decorated with horizontal lacquered boards, artistic carvings of dragons, unicorns, turtles, phoenixes, birds and flowers with contents aiming at blessing, praying for luck and longevity. In front of the house there is usually a large yard with ornamental flowers or fruit trees; surrounded by a fence and a sturdy, spacious gate showing the luxury and grandeur of the wealthy landowners of the past.
Currently, almost all the ancient houses in Dong Hoa Hiep ancient village are exploited for tourism business and are attractive destinations in agricultural tours of the province.
Ms. Le Thi Chinh (owner of Mr. Kiet's ancient house) said that the exploitation and tourism business here includes sightseeing, food and beverage services and overnight accommodation connecting tourist routes and destinations in the area, contributing to bringing the cultural value of ancient houses in the South to the community.
According to Mr. Phan Van Duc (owner of Ba Duc ancient house), tourists coming here often enjoy visiting the ancient house, Dong Hoa Hiep rice paper and rice paper making village, the gardens full of seasonal fruits... Tourists can stay overnight to enjoy the moon or go boating on Tien Giang river, visit Cai Be floating market...
The Ba Duc ancient house tourist site and the Ba Duc ancient house shrimp crackers have been recognized as 4-star OCOP. The province has recognized the tourist sites of Ong Kiet's ancient house and Ba Duc ancient house as among the 10 typical agricultural tourist sites of the locality.
In addition, following the guidance and direction of all levels and sectors, people plan and design gardens and fish ponds, apply science and technology to intensively cultivate to achieve high productivity and output; plant trees and ornamental flowers to create rural landscapes; renovate houses; upgrade services for tourists; connect with travel agencies to bring visitors on reasonable and attractive eco-tourism tours and routes.
The commune has defined a specialized fruit garden area of over 1,000 hectares, mainly growing durian, grapefruit... for high economic efficiency with a fruit output of nearly 22,000 tons per year.
In addition, the locality develops traditional handicraft industries such as making green rice flakes, candy, rice paper, milk puffs, milling and processing food, etc., contributing to creating jobs and income for workers.
Through the development of agricultural tourism, Dong Hoa Hiep also widely introduces to domestic and foreign tourists the beautiful landscape of the river garden, the unique cultural identity of a land, especially the ancient architecture of Dong Hoa Hiep village which is considered a precious gem in the ancient Southern residential architecture.
This is a highlight in the province's agricultural tours as well as connecting tourism in the Dong Thap Muoi sub-region and the Mekong Delta region.
Strive to achieve model new rural commune
Secretary of the Dong Hoa Hiep Commune Party Committee Vo Minh Nhut assessed that agricultural tourism based on strengths such as visiting ancient houses, historical and cultural relics, the landscape of the Tien River, learning about gardening and local fruit orchard economy... is attracting tourists. This is the backbone of the economy, helping Dong Hoa Hiep Commune develop strongly and sustainably, ensuring social security, and improving people's living standards.
According to the Secretary of the Party Committee of Dong Hoa Hiep commune, the correct orientation of the Party Committee, government and people of the commune to develop the potential of ancient village tourism in building new rural areas, model new rural areas and advanced new rural areas has brought about practical results.
On average, Dong Hoa Hiep welcomes over 150,000 domestic and foreign tourists each year. Of which, the Dong Hoa Hiep Ancient Village Festival, held around mid-November every year, is an attractive highlight attracting tens of thousands of tourists.
The awakened tourism potential of Dong Hoa Hiep ancient village has created jobs, increased income, and ensured social security in the locality. By the end of 2023, the average income per capita in Dong Hoa Hiep commune will reach 72.65 million/person/year; the poverty rate in the area will decrease to 1.12%.
By 2024, the commune strives to increase per capita income to 79.2 million VND/person/year and reduce the poverty rate to below 1%.
The Party Secretary of the commune shared that in 2017, Dong Hoa Hiep was recognized as a new rural commune, in 2020 it was recognized as an advanced new rural commune and is aiming to be recognized as a model new rural commune by the end of 2024./.
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