Trekking and exploring nature in Dong Van

Việt Nam•21/10/2024

Trekking, a form of outdoor tourism involving long-distance walking and nature exploration, is becoming increasingly popular among tourists. Recognizing this demand, Binh Lieu is developing trekking as a new tourism product in 2024. The district has connected with and arranged a famtrip for travel companies specializing in bringing international tourists to Vietnam to survey the Song Mooc - Khe Tien trekking route. The hope is that this will become a flagship tourism product attracting international visitors, especially Western tourists, to Binh Lieu.

Rice paddies are one of the most distinctive landscapes on the Mooc River - Khe Tien trek.

As usual, every autumn and winter, tourists flock to Binh Lieu district, a mountainous border area of Quang Ninh province, to take photos amidst the pristine white reeds on the hills, the golden ripe rice terraces, or to visit the villages of the Dao people in hamlets such as Song Mooc or Khe Tien, the highest and most remote hamlets.

Compared to traveling by car or motorbike, trekking is a slower form of tourism that requires participants to be in good health. This type of exploratory tourism is particularly popular with Western, Korean, and Japanese tourists because it provides a closer look and a greater sense of immersion in the natural environment and culture of the destination. At the same time, trekking satisfies travelers' passion for exploration and discovering unspoiled lands.

As one of the first foreign visitors to explore the trekking route from Song Mooc village to Khe Tien village in Dong Van commune, Binh Lieu district, French tourist Alexandre Betrand was amazed: “I love the natural scenery here. The golden rice fields are so picturesque, and the small, winding paths meander along the edges of the fields. In particular, I really appreciate the unique ethnic culture here. It was a wonderful and unforgettable experience.”

Just over ten kilometers long and easily completed in 4 to 6 hours, the trekking route in Dong Van is considered manageable for many tourists. The route passes through a diverse range of natural and cultural landscapes, from rice fields to local roads, through cinnamon and anise forests, along winding streams around villages, past yards where locals are drying cassava, and past decades-old traditional houses with red earth walls… Trekking in Dong Van offers a multi-sensory experience for visitors.

Tourists take photos of terraced rice fields on a trekking route in Dong Van commune. *Photo: Pham Hanh (Academy of Journalism and Communication)*

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Ha, Director of Esy Ways Travel Company, shared: "When passing through the cinnamon forests, the fragrant scent of cinnamon blossoms, with their tiny, lovely flowers, combined with the autumn sunshine and rustling leaves, truly creates a peaceful autumnal symphony. With this trekking route, we can definitely offer it to international tourists, such as French visitors. They will love it. Tourists can do a day trip or stay overnight in Binh Lieu. If we add activities such as experiencing traditional crafts and cultural and artistic programs, it is entirely possible for tourists to extend their stay."

Trekking in Dong Van is one of two new tourism products that Binh Lieu district registered with the province to offer to tourists in 2024. A famtrip survey of the product, organized by the Binh Lieu District People's Committee in coordination with Binh Lieu Community Tourism Co., Ltd., took place in mid-October 2024 and included more than 50 inbound travel agencies specializing in bringing international tourists to Vietnam. To prepare for the survey, the Binh Lieu District People's Committee directed the Department of Culture and Information and the Dong Van Commune People's Committee to coordinate with local villagers to clean up the environment along the trekking routes and inform them about the survey. Mr. Tang Van Dao, Vice Chairman of the Dong Van Commune People's Committee, Binh Lieu district, said: “When informed about the tourism famptrip program, the villagers were very supportive. Not only did they actively participate in cleaning up the environment, but they were also very enthusiastic about leading the survey team.”

It is expected that in November, the first international tourist groups will arrive in Binh Lieu, thanks to connections between inbound travel businesses following this famtrip. With the efforts of Binh Lieu district, the dedication and enthusiasm of the people and businesses, a new, unique and sustainable tourism product has been completed, promising to exploit the advantages of Binh Lieu's natural and cultural tourism, helping the district achieve its goal of welcoming 250,000 tourists in 2024 and aiming to become a community tourism center of the province.

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