Prospects of cage fish farming model associated with tourism development in Hoa Binh lake area

(HBĐT) - Hoa Binh Lake has a capacity of more than 9 billion m3. With a trough shape, surrounded by high mountains, deep lake bed, rich aquatic resources, Hoa Binh Lake is considered a valuable treasure trove of aquatic life, likened to Ha Long Bay on land, attracting tourists. In 2016, Hoa Binh Lake was approved by the Prime Minister for the master plan for national tourism development until 2030. Exploiting the advantages of water surface area and majestic natural landscape, many households in Hoa Binh Lake have developed a model of cage fish farming associated with tourism development, bringing high economic efficiency.

The homestay is invested in a spacious fish raft of Mr. Nguyen Van Binh's family, Thau group, Thai Binh ward, Hoa Binh city, and is an attractive destination for visitors to visit and experience.

Mr. Nguyen Van Binh, Thau group, Thai Binh ward, Hoa Binh city has been involved in fishing and raising fish in cages on Hoa Binh lake for more than 20 years. Currently, his family has 7 fish cages, mainly catfish, tilapia, carp... However, in recent years, when the market began to saturate and especially the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2 years (2021 - 2022), the price of commercial fish on Hoa Binh lake has decreased. Realizing that if they only rely on fish rafts, the economic efficiency will not be high, Mr. Binh's family decided to upgrade the fish raft into a floating homestay on the water to welcome tourists .

Mr. Binh said: At first, it was just tourists who wanted to stop by the lake to enjoy the lake fish right on the raft, my family served groups of guests who ordered food. Later, realizing that many groups wanted to stay and experience the natural landscape of the lake, the family boldly invested in passenger boats, opened additional accommodation services, and kayaking on the lake.

With a focus on investing in becoming a cool, clean floating homestay right in the Hoa Binh lake area, Mr. Binh's family regularly welcomes guests from Hanoi and neighboring provinces to rest and experience. Not only earning from food and accommodation services, Mr. Binh also sells commercial fish to tourists right at the homestay without having to sell through private traders or retailers as before. On average, each summer month, his family's homestay welcomes about 400 visitors to visit and experience, bringing in a stable source of income.

Taking his family to experience Mr. Binh's homestay, Mr. Le Nam, a tourist from Hanoi, shared: I have admired the beautiful scenery of Hoa Binh Lake many times, but this is the first time I have experienced a "floating homestay" that is both spacious and imbued with traditional style like here. The food is cooked in the traditional style with five-color sticky rice, grilled fish, boiled chicken, and very fresh bamboo shoots. There are also many services that can be experienced here, suitable for many ages such as fishing, kayaking, mountain climbing, river bathing... very suitable for summer experiences.

In recent years, many households raising fish in cages in Hoa Binh Lake have developed a model of raising fish in cages combined with eco-tourism. Up to this point, many households have invested systematically and on a larger scale to focus on attracting tourists. According to the synthesis, there are currently nearly 20 households in the groups: Voi, Thau and some hamlets in the lake area of the communes: Thung Nai (Cao Phong), Vay Nua, Tien Phong (Da Bac) have registered for tourism business. Mr. Nguyen Xuan Thang, Voi group, Thai Binh ward, Hoa Binh city shared: Although I am not a son of Hoa Binh land, I have been attached to the Da River fish for a long time. I have been to many places, eaten many types of fish, but I find that nowhere is the quality better than the fish of the Da River lake, both delicious and clean. Therefore, I decided to combine fish farming with tourism, hoping that many people can come here to experience and enjoy the specialty of Da River fish.

Currently, in the Hoa Binh hydroelectric lake area, there are nearly 5 thousand fish cages, with an average annual output of nearly 10 thousand tons. Cage fish farming associated with tourism development is currently the direction many households are aiming for in order to awaken the potential and strengths of the Hoa Binh lake area. According to comrade Nguyen Huy Nhuan, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, in order to both sustainably develop the fisheries industry and serve the development of tourism in the lake area, the Department has directed the Fisheries Sub-Department to guide cage fish farming households and cooperatives to continue to effectively develop the farming of aquatic species with economic value associated with protecting the ecological environment. In particular, focusing on specialty fish species in the lake area, applying VietGAP farming processes, organic aquaculture, applying science and technology to aquaculture production to increase added value and reduce costs. At the same time, aiming to develop the farming of aquatic species for ornamental and recreational purposes in urban areas and tourist areas. Encourage and support the development of aquaculture associated with tourism, educational activities, eco-tourism, and experiential tours.

Dinh Hoa

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