Greening the tourist areas of Thanh Hoa province.

With its advantageous location, climate, landscapes, culture, and cuisine, Thanh Hoa possesses all the potential to become a key tourism region of the nation. Thanh Hoa is effectively exploiting this potential, focusing resources on developing tourism in a green direction, making it a leading economic sector.

Thanh Hoa province possesses the characteristics of all three regions: the midland and mountainous areas, the plains, and the coastal areas, with beautiful and unique natural landscapes. In particular, Thanh Hoa has several famous nature reserves, national parks, and islands such as Pu Luong, Pu Hu, Xuan Lien, Ben En National Park, Ne Island, Me Island... which are home to many endemic and rare animal and plant species. Each village is an ideal stop for tourists who enjoy exploring nature, experiencing and learning about local life and culture.

The coastal region, with its coastline stretching from Nga Son district to Nghi Son town, boasts a flat beach with a relatively shallow and wide continental shelf, long boasting many beautiful beaches that attract tourists, such as Sam Son (Sam Son city), Hai Hoa, Bai Dong (Nghi Son town), and Hai Tien (Hoang Hoa district)... Besides its natural geographical advantages, Thanh Hoa also possesses diverse and rich human potential for rural tourism development. Thanh Hoa – a land of heritage, cuisine , traditional crafts, and typical villages – all offer a refreshing, charming, and welcoming invitation to visitors.

Phu Luong, the green gem of Thanh Hoa tourism . Photo: Internet

The Pù Luông ecotourism area (Bá Thước district) boasts not only beautiful natural scenery, fresh air, gently curving terraced rice fields, deep forests, rolling hills and mountains, the cascading Hiêu waterfall, traditional flower dances, the sounds of threshing rice, and the intoxicating aroma of rice wine... In recent years, the emergence of comfortable and modern homestays that are still close to nature has made Pù Luông a famous green tourism, community tourism, ecotourism, and resort destination, attracting not only domestic but also international tourists. For many years, Pù Luông has been the "meeting point" for the Vietnam Jungle Marathon, attracting thousands of athletes and tourists from both Vietnam and abroad. The attractiveness of the Pu Luong ecotourism area has made a significant contribution to the tourism performance, socio-economic development indicators, and new rural development of Ba Thuoc district in particular and Thanh Hoa province in general in recent years.

Thuong Xuan District is located in the western part of Thanh Hoa province, nearly 60km from Thanh Hoa city. It is a region with rich potential for tourism and agricultural and forestry development. (Image: Internet)

The Xuan Lien Nature Reserve (XU) in Thuong Xuan is one of Vietnam's major biodiversity hotspots, boasting the 1,620m-high Pu Gio peak, the vast Cua Dat lake, the gentle Chu River, the poetic Yen waterfall, and the majestic Thien Thuy waterfall... all nestled amidst pristine primeval forests teeming with rare and precious flora and fauna. Wandering along forest trails bathed in sunlight filtering through the trees, visitors can witness ancient primeval trees with diameters up to 4m and heights exceeding 60m, as well as exotic mushrooms, captivating wildflowers, hundreds of medicinal plants, and rare orchids. If lucky, visitors might even encounter animals such as the white-cheeked gibbon and the gray langur in their natural habitat.

Exploring Cua Dat Lake and Yen Waterfall on a boat trip of over 10km, or conquering Thien Thuy Waterfall, promises to bring visitors unforgettable memories. After eagerly exploring the primeval forests, immersing themselves in the beauty of Cua Dat Lake, and finding peace amidst historical, cultural, and spiritual sites, visitors can then seek refuge in the tranquil community tourism villages of Ban Ma (Thuong Xuan town) and Ban Vin (Bat Mot commune), nestled in the vast wilderness.

To ensure that the "non-polluting industry" truly becomes a key economic sector, in the coming period, the province will continue to mobilize all investment resources to develop tourism with the consistent viewpoint of "not sacrificing the environment." Tourism investment must be directed towards sustainable development, ensuring harmony between economic and social goals, preserving traditional values, cultural and historical heritage, protecting the environment, maintaining security and order, and ensuring a balance of interests between the state, businesses, and the people. Priority will be given to developing three strong product types: beach tourism, community-based ecotourism, and cultural and spiritual heritage tourism.

This includes regularly promoting and raising awareness among people, businesses, and communities about civilized and friendly behavior towards tourists; protecting the image and environment; contributing to sustainable development; and continuously building the reputation, brand, and attractiveness of Thanh Hoa tourism.

Diem Giang