Volunteer tourism attracts tourists

Where the land revives

In order to promptly have solutions to restore tourism activities after storm No. 3, Lao Cai tourism has built new tourism programs: tourism associated with volunteer activities (charity, gift giving, supporting people); tourism associated with visiting areas affected by storms and floods with themes such as "where the land revives"...

The program was built and implemented by the tourism business community working together for the community and tourism development after the impact of typhoon Yagi.

In fact, Lao Cai has not yet had a tour combining volunteering. However, in recent years, with the actual conditions in the locality, many people who love to travel and have a kind heart have combined the above two activities. That not only promotes the development of the tourism industry, but after each journey, tourists also connect the hearts and people from all over the country closer together. The tour is expected to be named: "Discovering Sa Pa - the city in the mist combined with a volunteer program".

During 3 days and 2 nights, by car and on foot, visitors will explore the village, learn about the culture, customs and practices of the local people, and combine with local volunteer activities. Visitors will explore Sa Pa night market, stone church, Quan yard, Sa Pa lake; visit Lao Chai and Ta Van villages - long-standing residences of the Mong and Giay people. Visitors will conquer the "roof of Indochina" by cable car; enjoy ethnic cuisine...

In particular, on this tour, visitors will travel to the center of Muong Hoa commune, the place most affected by the recent storm No. 3. The group can visit and give gifts to affected households and schools; help people clean up their houses and public works...

Tour to explore Bac Ha market - cruise on Chay River combined with charity program. The tour takes place in 3 days and 2 nights, visitors will cruise on Chay River, visit Hoang A Tuong mansion, Bac Ha temple, Bac Ha night market... and participate in charity program to help disadvantaged students in Hoang Thu Pho or Lung Phinh commune.

Bao Yen spiritual and community tourism tour combined with volunteering. Within 2 days and 1 night, visitors will worship at Bao Ha temple, Co temple, visit villages in Nghia Do; enjoy Tay cuisine. Visitors will visit and give gifts to households affected by storms and floods in Nghia Do, Lang Nu (Phuc Khanh).

Tour to explore Muong Hum - Y Ty - Lung Po combined with volunteering. During 3 days 2 nights, visitors will enjoy local specialties; visit tourist attractions Y Ty, Lao Chai, Thien Sinh bridge... give gifts to students in A Lu, Nam Pung...

Typhoon No. 3 Yagi passed through, leaving behind a desolate scene on many streets and roads in Hanoi. A travel technology platform organized cleaning sessions for Hanoi streets after Typhoon Yagi, attracting the participation of Vietnamese volunteers and international tourists.

Ms. Vu Thi Thai An (Annie Vu), founder of Tubudd, shared: “Our mission is to connect people with people, people with nature, and people with the city where they live. We want to become a voice to help foreigners better understand Vietnamese culture and people.”

After Typhoon Yagi hit Hanoi and left behind severe consequences, this unit quickly took action. They not only shared information and images with the international community, but also organized a street cleaning campaign for 2 days, September 14-15, from 8am to evening, with the support and coordination of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union of Hoan Kiem District (Hanoi).

The areas cleaned up include: around the Opera House, 19/8 flower garden, Bac Co flower garden, Co Tan flower garden and streets such as Ly Thuong Kiet, Ngo Quyen... More than 100 volunteers focused on cleaning the park, handling fallen trees, and cleaning the sidewalks so that people can move around and live normally.

Notably, the campaign received active support from the expatriate community living in Vietnam or international tourists traveling to Hanoi.

Some foreign volunteers living and working in Hanoi shared that they want to contribute a small part to help the city quickly regain its green, clean, and beautiful space after the natural disaster.

Ms. Thai An could not help but be moved: “The foreign friends were very enthusiastic. They brought all the tools from gloves, brooms... even brought them for others. The foreign friends worked tirelessly, ready to take on the most difficult jobs. This really moved us.”

The campaign not only attracted the participation of volunteers but also received support and acceptance from the local community. Local people provided drinking water and free parking to support the volunteers, and tourists showed their support in many different ways.

“Through these activities, we see more clearly our mission of connecting people. Especially in difficult circumstances, when we connect, we can create miracles,” Ms. Thai An shared.

Travel connects hearts

Different from normal tour programs, charity tours are a bridge connecting hearts across borders and the Fatherland to come closer together. Because after each journey, visitors not only discover the beauty of nature but also find the true meaning and purpose of life.

More and more travel companies are participating, building tour packages combined with charity work in many diverse forms, from fun activities with children in rural and mountainous areas, donating books and clothes, building libraries and schools to training life skills for people in poor rural areas...

By participating in volunteer tours, volunteers will be immersed in nature and experience the peaceful life in the countryside. At the same time, volunteers can explore local culture, expand their social knowledge and develop themselves.

Foreign tourists are always enthusiastic and proactive in cleaning the streets. (Photo: Provided by the character)

With the purpose of doing charity, the basic difference of this tour compared to normal tour programs is that there is absolutely no profit. Therefore, the tour fee that tourists have to pay will be much lower than the normal tour fee.

However, in addition to giving gifts and visiting the lives of ethnic minorities in difficult mountainous areas, charity tour participants can still enjoy relaxing holidays while immersing themselves in the wild beauty of the mountainous regions, or the vast ocean and majestic mountains.

Not just giving gifts and interacting with charity organizations, most of the tourists participating in the tour require the organizers to design it so that they can “suffer” a lot. Specifically, they can personally build bricks, whitewash, clear grass, clear mud, and swamps to make the roads clean and beautiful, participate in the process of repairing houses or carry support goods to people in remote areas… In addition, they can also exchange culture, arts, and learn about the lives of local people.

In Vietnam, although the participants and the way of operation are very different, charity tourism everywhere has the same purpose of bringing good things. Tourism researchers hope that this type of tourism will continue to be carried out in a professional and humane manner, becoming a unique and attractive tourism product.

…The joy of contributing to life, having fun but still being useful has become a unique feature that makes this tour increasingly attractive to tourists. Actively participating in programs to help the poor, lonely, and sick, many tourists feel happy with the useful things in this colorful life.

Source: https://baophapluat.vn/du-lich-thien-nguyen-thu-hut-du-khach-post526148.html