At the end of the year, travel and photo opportunities become popular.

Towards the end of the year, when "every flower is in bloom," is also the time when check-in spots in Thanh Hoa "flourish" to serve tourists. This activity usually takes place at destinations that can be visited in a single day and do not require accommodation.

Tourist Vuong Hien Luong taking photos at the crescent-shaped lake and the temple of Trung Tuc King Le Lai (Ngoc Lac).

Ham Rong Ward (Thanh Hoa City), with its beautiful roads and fresh air, is a popular choice for tourists looking for a check-in spot during the autumn and winter seasons. Besides taking photos at the historic Ham Rong Bridge, the Dong Son ancient village (Ham Rong Ward), a location offering nostalgic photo opportunities, is always a major draw for travel enthusiasts.

Located just about 5km from the center of Thanh Hoa City, Dong Son ancient village always offers visitors a peaceful, uncrowded atmosphere. Popular spots for tourists to take photos include the ancient houses, the alleys named Nhan, Nghia, Tri, and Dung; and Dong Son Pagoda (also known as Pham Thong Pagoda or Van Am Pagoda). Among them, Mr. Luong Trong Due's house is a relatively well-preserved wooden house with typical 19th-century architecture, frequently visited by tourists. During the end of the year, Mr. Luong The Tap's family (Mr. Luong Trong Due's son) sometimes welcomes over 100 visitors for photo opportunities.

Mr. Luong The Tap said: “In recent years, the number of visitors checking in has increased significantly, especially during the end of the year and the beginning of the new year. Each group of visitors usually spends about an hour visiting and taking pictures. To facilitate visits, my family has developed additional spaces for collecting antiques, tending to the garden, and creating a refreshing green space. Currently, visiting and taking pictures at the ancient house is completely free for tourists. However, through tourism activities, visitors attaching the location of the destination when posting photos on social media further promotes and preserves the cultural value of Dong Son ancient village over time.”

Also on the trip to Ham Rong ward, tourists certainly cannot miss Tien Son Cave Tourist Area. Here, fresh flowers are planted all year round, with a variety of eye-catching and attractive photo spots. The peak time for visitors to check in is usually from November when flowers such as daisies, chrysanthemums, purple lavender, wild sunflowers... begin to bloom.

Cao Thanh Nam, Director of Tien Son Cave Tourist Area, said: “On weekends, the number of visitors checking in here can reach up to 300 per day. We predict that this year the number of visitors will be much higher, because the familiar flower-growing areas for tourists to check in, such as the area along the Ma River, are affected by recent storms and heavy rains. To help extend the visitor period and develop tourism during the off-season, we are paying special attention to welcoming and serving visitors. We regularly maintain the landscape of the destination, intercropping different types of flowers to ensure a green space with fresh flowers covering the entire area. Right after this chrysanthemum season, we are ready for the Tet flower season, meeting the needs of tourists for check-ins.”

It is known that in the past two years, along with the local market, Tien Son Cave Tourist Area has welcomed a significant number of visitors from both northern and southern provinces. Visitors often spend at least half a day here checking in, especially at scenic spots like the chrysanthemum garden and the wild sunflower hill. Ms. Tran Thi Thu Trang from Dong Nai said: "One of our favorite things to do when traveling is to check in at beautiful destinations. Coming to Tien Son Cave, we were truly surprised to find such an attractive destination right in the heart of Thanh Hoa City. With just one location, we had so many beautiful photo opportunities, immersed ourselves in nature, and enjoyed a peaceful feeling while experiencing urban tourism in a different way.”

From the center of Thanh Hoa City, the convenient transportation system allows tourists to reach the province's cultural and spiritual sites during the end of the year. At this time, the weather is usually sunny and dry, quite favorable for tourists to capture beautiful photos when visiting several historical sites such as: Lam Kinh Historical Site, Le Hoan Temple (Tho Xuan), Trung Tuc King Le Lai Temple (Ngoc Lac), Ho Dynasty Citadel Cultural Heritage Site (Vinh Loc)... With ancient architecture and spacious, clean, and beautiful surroundings, these sites offer meaningful photo opportunities, each bearing a strong cultural imprint. Tourist Vuong Hien Luong (Thanh Hoa City) said: "Having worked in the culture, sports, and tourism sector, I often spend time visiting and checking in at historical sites in the province at the end of the year. Most recently, I and some friends checked in at the Lam Kinh Historical Site, Nua Temple - Am Tien, and the temple of Trung Tuc King Le Lai. To get beautiful photos, choosing appropriate clothing is essential when visiting these places. Every time I post pictures on social media, I always tag the name and location of the destination, hoping to further spread the message 'Thanh Hoa Tourism - The Beauty of Four Seasons'."

Although short-term tourism doesn't generate significant revenue for destinations, check-in tourism is proving effective in promoting and publicizing the image of these destinations. As the trend of check-in tourism develops towards the end of the year, the image of Thanh Hoa tourism, with its unique beauty during the "off-season," is gradually being established. However, to make check-in tourism truly attractive and professional, improving the quality of service and tourism services at destinations needs more attention, aiming for complete experiences in every moment for tourists.

Text and photos: Le Anh

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/cuoi-nam-du-lich-check-in-len-ngoi-231065.htm