Lightening ancient villages
“Community tourism” is a new concept for local residents in Cao Bang province, as their life revolves around their farm and farming. Therefore, changing their mindset to develop agricultural economy in combination with tourism is a new beginning which helps them break out of their “cocoon.”
    |
 |
|
The daily life of people in Cao Bang province |
Director of the Cao Bang provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Sam Viet An held that after surveying the community tourism development potential in the locality, they have identified about 20 potential locations. So far the province has built facilities and operated tourism activities in seven locations.
“Furthermore, in recent years, there have been more tourists visiting the community tourism villages, benefiting local people. However, there remain challenges facing them. Due to the uneven development among localities, we are trying our best to change each village,” added An.
Located in the Ban Gioc waterfall tourist complex in Trung Khanh district, 400-year-old Khuoi Ky stone village owns unique and ancient architectural features. Thanks to its natural scenery and unique culture of the Tay ethnic minority people, “homestay” model has been implemented in the village, attracting many tourists across the country.
|
|
 |
|
Director of Cao Bang provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Sam Viet An |
According to a homestay owner, Trieu Xuan Tiep, following the new-age tourism trend, instead of staying in hotels, visitors to Cao Bang in general and to Ban Gioc waterfall and Nguom Ngao cave in particular are tending to stay at community homestays. Tourists want to experience local cultural identities. However, there were many difficulties facing Tiep during the construction of the homestay such as how to transport materials to the area and how to design the village on the basis of its ancient features.
Thanks to the support of local authorities, local residents have actively promoted the community tourism model. Moreover, Tiep hoped that a project by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) with an investment of VND 20 billion would serve visitors to Cao Bang province with the best services in the near future.
|
|
 |
|
Tourists taking photos in Cao Bang province |
Nurturing aspirations
Looking for the original values in an area in the middle of the busy life is the taste of tourists, especially international travelers. “In each locality, we try to preserve and promote their unique identities, for example, Hoai Khao village is well known for its silver carving while Phuc Sen is famous for indigo cloth dyeing, among others. We hope that these things would leave deep impressions on every visitor,” said Sam Viet An.
The tourism model has increasingly attracted visitors inside and outside the country to experience culture and connect people.
Translated by Minh Anh