Prospective direction of eco-cultural tourism area of ​​Ban Ven, Bac Giang

Eco-tourism and culture of Ven village of Than Truong Cooperative (Yen The district, Bac Giang province) is recognized as an OCOP product, opening up a promising direction in economic development, creating sustainable income for people.

Tourists wear Cao Lan ethnic costumes and join the locals in picking tea when visiting the Ven Village Cultural and Eco- Tourism Area. (Source: Construction Newspaper)

Ban Ven has a history of more than 300 years. Ban Ven has a total of 148 households. As of 2020, there are 562 people. Of which, the Cao Lan ethnic group accounts for 95.2%. With the advantage of diverse and rich natural potential as well as a cultural tradition imbued with national identity, Ban Ven has become one of the popular community ecotourism destinations in recent years.

In 2022, the Eco-cultural Tourism product of Ven village of Than Truong Cooperative (Yen The district, Bac Giang province) was recognized as a 3-star OCOP product. This is the first product in the community tourism group, a star-rated tourist destination of Bac Giang province to be recognized as an OCOP product.

Mr. Nguyen Van Luy, Head of the Rural Development Department (Bac Giang Department of Agriculture and Rural Development) said: “With the first product in the community tourism group, a tourist destination recognized as a 3-star OCOP, Bac Giang has OCOP products in 5/6 groups. This will open up opportunities and encourage tourism operators to invest in developing OCOP products”.

Ms. Ly Thi Hoi, Director of Than Truong Cooperative, said that from the Ban Ven green tea raw material area and the attention, orientation and encouragement of all levels and sectors, Than Truong Cooperative has boldly joined with households to participate in building community tourism products, with the goal of "agricultural products are cultural products towards tourism products" at the Ban Ven community tourism site.

According to Ms. Hoi, with the characteristics of the ancient Xuan Lung land, Ban Ven has advantages in nature and culture of the Cao Lan ethnic group. The Cooperative has mobilized and supported funding for groups of households here to restore traditional cultural and artistic features of costumes, singing, bamboo dancing...

Cao Lan ethnic people in Xuan Luong commune practice performing arts to interact with tourists. (Source: Bac Giang Newspaper)

Along with that, Than Truong Cooperative has restored stilt houses with typical architecture; preserved and developed mountain and forest culinary specialties with processing methods that bring typical local flavors and brought local agricultural products into the service supply chain for tourists from all over.

Community tourism in Ven village is recognized as meeting OCOP standards and also brings many benefits to the establishment in ensuring the maintenance of product quality according to OCOP criteria; creating trust for tourists when using the service. People in Ven village have also had a positive change in their awareness of preserving and promoting the value of their own unique products.

In addition, the propaganda and promotion of OCOP products through tourism channels will be widely developed and more domestic and foreign tourists will know about Ven village.

Ms. Ly Thi Hoi emphasized: “In the coming time, the Cooperative will develop a plan to upgrade the Eco-Cultural Tourism product of Ven village, focusing on the criteria for achieving low scores, especially improving the qualifications of the reception team, tour guides, and chefs. We will complete the conditions to upgrade the stars for our products”.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/huong-di-trien-vong-cua-khu-du-lich-sinh-thai-van-hoa-ban-ven-bac-giang-243730.html