Preserving culture associated with tourism exploitation and development

With many cultural and tourism activities organized, the traditional culture of the province's ethnic groups has many opportunities to introduce and promote to tourists. In the photo: Thai ethnic brocade is introduced at the 2024 Cherry Blossom Festival.

Recently, at the Meeting with representatives of production and service business units in the province, comrade Le Thanh Do, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee emphasized: Units, establishments and individuals join hands to gradually build and form the unique tourism identity of Dien Bien province according to the motto "friendly - safe - civilized - unique", leaving many impressions in the hearts of friends and tourists, creating a breakthrough in tourism development of the province. In which, attention is paid to the cultural identity of the community of 19 ethnic groups, from costumes, arts, cuisine, activities and life...

In recent years, the exploitation of cultural factors to develop tourism in our province has created a certain mark with many activities and tourism models associated with ethnic communities, contributing to meeting the needs of tourists for sightseeing and experience.

Thai Ethnic Cuisine Restaurant Kitchen - Van Phong, Noong Chun village, Nam Thanh ward, Dien Bien Phu city these days is always warm, fragrant with typical dishes and spices of the mountains and forests. This place has long been one of the destinations for exchanging and enjoying traditional cuisine chosen by many tourists. Since the beginning of the year, the number of tourists coming to Dien Bien has increased, the restaurant is also busier. The restaurant is loved and chosen because the dishes all retain the unique traditional taste of the Thai people. Among them, the most rustic and popular are grilled dishes, salads: grilled meat, grilled fish, minced meat wrapped in leaves, smoked buffalo, bamboo shoot salad - vegetables, sticky rice, buffalo skin soup...

Preserving traditional dishes and promoting cuisine in particular and ethnic culture in general is what Van Phong Restaurant aims for. Mr. Lo Van Phong, the restaurant owner, shared: “We always pay attention to the freshness and flavor of the dishes, preserving the unique characteristics of Thai cuisine passed down by our grandparents and parents. However, we also often chat and consult with tourists to constantly improve the quality. Along with food service, we also organize cultural exchanges, bamboo dance, xoe dance, and campfires for tourists to participate in and experience and better understand Thai ethnic culture.”

Along with cuisine, homestay models, cultural tourism villages also play an important role in preserving and promoting indigenous beauty. Pung Tom, Thanh Minh commune, Dien Bien Phu city is an old village of the Thai people. To meet the increasing demand for accommodation, the village recently has nearly 10 households running homestays. Coming here, visitors can immerse themselves in a close, cozy living space imbued with the Thai identity. Ms. Ca Thi Doan, the owner of a homestay, shared: “When guests come to stay at the village, they will stay in a stilt house with us, but have their own space, beautifully decorated, clean, tidy, ensuring the criteria for welcoming and serving tourists. Everything still retains the characteristics of the Thai people, from the smallest details such as fabric materials, brocade patterns on blankets, sheets, pillows, mattresses... All typical ethnic household items are also preserved for visitors to see and experience”.

The highland cultural space is always an impressive place, attracting tourists during festivals in Dien Bien.

In a few days, the 2024 Ban Flower Festival and the Opening of the National Tourism Year - Dien Bien will take place. At this important event, there will also be many activities bringing the colorful cultural space of the province's ethnic groups, such as art performances, great solidarity xoe dance, highland cultural space, experiencing folk games, traditional crafts... The highlight this year is the Thai Xoe Art Festival and Mong Khen Art Festival, which are held for the first time on an expanded provincial scale. Along with that is a live show introducing legends, history and unique folk dances, and Thai ethnic folk culture. All will bring visitors different emotions, a complete and impressive view of the heroic, sacred, beautiful and culturally rich land of Dien Bien Phu.

With the orientation and opportunities from the major events taking place (the 70th anniversary of Dien Bien Phu Victory, hosting the National Tourism Year), the traditional culture of ethnic groups in our province will certainly be increasingly concerned with preserving, maintaining, and promoting in conjunction with tourism and service development. Thereby contributing to the goal of building Dien Bien into an attractive tourist destination in the midland and mountainous regions of the North.

Source