Ha Giang attracts tourists thanks to its unique cultural identity and spectacular natural landscape. (Photo: Contributor/Vietnam+)
“Anyone who has not been to Ha Giang should go at least once in their life. Like me, although I have been there many times, each time is full of emotions and a desire to return. I am impressed with the road from Dong Van town to Thien Huong village, it is truly beautiful. On this side is our country, and on the other side is a neighboring country, only separated by a deep valley. Stopping on the windy pass, admiring the vast and majestic nature, it is truly wonderful! Loving nature, loving the country, feeling happiness filled in every cell of the body!”
Mr. Lai Quoc Tinh. (Photo: Mai Mai/Vietnam+)
Perhaps, many people will also have beautiful feelings like Mr. Lam (Hanoi) just shared after exploring the land of Ha Giang. That is why the number of tourists flocking to this remote area is increasing, especially every New Year, causing weekends in famous destinations of Ha Giang such as Dong Van, Meo Vac... to often be in a situation of "no rooms available". Tourists who do not book accommodation in advance have to travel far from the central area or go to other districts to find a place to sleep.
In the first weeks of the new year, the number of people flocking to visit Ha Giang has caused constant congestion, even on mountain passes, such as Tham Ma slope, Bac Sum slope or Ma Pi Leng pass. So what is the reason that Ha Giang is becoming more and more attractive? VietnamPlus Online Newspaper reporter had an interview with the Chairman of Ha Giang Tourism Association, Mr. Lai Quoc Tinh.
Using endogenous strength to develop tourism
- In recent years, Ha Giang has become an attractive destination for domestic and foreign tourists. In particular, local tourism activities in general and community tourism in particular have become a model for many places to learn from. As someone who is closely involved in the tourism activities of this land, in your opinion, what has helped Ha Giang achieve such success?
Mr. Lai Quoc Tinh: For Ha Giang tourism in general and Ha Giang community tourism in particular to achieve the results it has today, first of all, we must mention the correct orientation in line with the reality of the Provincial Party Committee from 2 terms ago. Local leaders have clearly oriented tourism as a spearhead and key economic sector, thereby creating all conditions for tourism, especially community tourism, to develop.
Preparing for the Gau Tao festival in Ha Giang. (Photo: Contributor/Vietnam+)
Second, the provincial leaders and those working in tourism like us clearly identify that culture is an endogenous force for socio-economic development, especially tourism development. Tourism development will contribute to cultural preservation.
We have a multi-ethnic community of 19 ethnic groups living in Ha Giang province. Due to the remote terrain compared to the lowland provinces, the traditional culture of ethnic minorities here is still almost intact, with little influence from the market mechanism.
It is a huge cultural treasure for us to cling to in order to build unique tourism products bearing the cultural imprint of Ha Giang that cannot be found anywhere else. That creates attraction and appeal for all classes of domestic and international tourists.
Furthermore, we have known how to harmoniously combine the beautiful natural landscape, terrain and geomorphology of Ha Giang with the indigenous cultural values that ethnic groups have preserved for generations, thereby creating truly impressive tourism products for all visitors.
We have a slogan “Ha Giang is a happy destination.” So going to Ha Giang, you will come to the road of happiness.
The Mong ethnic group in Ha Giang still preserves many traditional religious customs. (Photo: Contributor/Vietnam+)
- I see that managers and even local tourism businesses like you are all on a sustainable path, which is to try to preserve the local culture to develop the local economy from those core values. What can you share about this journey, especially when you are not a son of Ha Giang and a businessman but you are very interested in preserving the identity of your people?
Mr. Lai Quoc Tinh: As I said, we use our own culture to develop the economy, society and especially tourism. Personally, I consider myself a sentimental and somewhat adventurous person (laughs). I was born and raised in the rice fields of Thai Binh, then went to school far from home and went to Ha Giang to work, then settled down, got married and stayed here to make a living for 25 years now.
Ha Giang is my second home. I always keep in mind that Ha Giang gives me everything, if I can repay, I will repay with all my heart. During my work, I have been close to the people in most communes in the province, had the opportunity to meet, eat and live with the people. Therefore, it is correct to say that I have been protected by the people. From then on, I understand and love them.
For the people in remote areas who have not yet had much access to civilized and modern life, to put it in a literary way, I see them through the eyes of the writer Do in the short story “The Eyes” and not through the eyes of a culturalist. Therefore, I can easily sympathize, sympathize and consider myself a member of this big family. From that, I am determined to preserve the cultural identities of the people, completely restoring the architecture of the Mong people into the H'mong Village resort...
Traditional ethnic house architecture is still preserved in Ha Giang. (Photo: Contributor/Vietnam+)
I also participate in community tourism projects with the aim of preserving and promoting indigenous cultural values, using them as internal strength and core values to help people eliminate hunger, reduce poverty and develop the economy. When the economy is stable, we will return to better preserve traditional culture.
How to avoid making the same mistake as Sa Pa?
- Those activities are really meaningful to the people and the land, sir. The result is that in recent years Ha Giang has rapidly "changed its skin." However, along with the development, the space at many destinations in Ha Giang has also begun to be commercialized. Many people who love this land, including me, are concerned that Ha Giang is and will follow in the "footsteps" of Sa Pa. So what is your opinion?
Mr. Lai Quoc Tinh: To be honest, that is also something we are always concerned about so that Ha Giang does not follow in Sa Pa's footsteps. Therefore, the provincial leaders and those working in Ha Giang tourism have told each other to try to preserve it.
In fact, some newly built buildings that differ from local architecture are mainly in towns like Dong Van. In other places, especially on the "Happiness Road" leading to the Dong Van Karst Plateau Global Geopark, people have been advised by the government to build according to local architecture.
We also recommend that people maintain their identity and village space when building. In particular, the space of Dong Van Karst Plateau Global Geopark is very large, not as narrow as Sa Pa, so when the government is determined to take action and people are aware, Ha Giang will certainly not be commercialized, urbanized, or have streets in the village like in Sa Pa.
The natural beauty and life of the people of Ha Giang have a special appeal. (Photo: Contributor/Vietnam+)
- Yes sir. So is there any difficulty in propagating to people to preserve national identity?
Mr. Lai Quoc Tinh: Actually, this really requires art in propaganda. If it is just propaganda, of course it will be difficult for people to listen, but when cultural values are preserved and create an economy to support them and help them escape poverty, of course they will follow.
For example, in each show we invite people to play the panpipe, flute, and Mong dance, helping them earn money and have economic opportunities, then naturally they will teach traditional culture to their children, thereby creating the next generation of artisans and creating a movement to preserve that culture.
Or like the beautiful and colorful Mong dresses, when people from the lowlands see them, they often like them, like to try them on, like to take pictures with the local girls and women wearing Mong dresses. That will make Mong people love their ethnic costumes and wear them naturally.
In particular, in addition to pure propaganda, it must be linked to benefits, so that people will naturally know how to appreciate and preserve their cultural values. Ha Giang currently has many Mong flute and Mong panpipe clubs.
For the Tay people in Ha Giang, there are currently many clubs for singing Then and playing Tinh and Coi instruments, and there are even artists who are famous nationwide such as artist Xuan Huu, who sings Then well and plays Tinh instruments well. From these factors, many generations have been taught.
- How do you evaluate the changes in the community after the propaganda?
Mr. Lai Quoc Tinh: Reality shows that ethnic minorities in Ha Giang are now more aware of preserving traditional cultural identity, from material culture to intangible culture. For example, when building houses, almost 100% of Mong people will follow traditional architecture and appreciate traditional costumes.
In particular, customs such as weddings, funerals, ceremonies, dances, folk songs, flute playing, and panpipe playing have been gradually passed down by the elderly to the younger generation, first to perform for money to improve their living standards, and then to contribute to preserving and conserving traditional cultural values.
I consider these to be really positive changes.
- Yes, thank you for sharing./.
H'mong Village eco-tourism resort has been recognized as the first provincial-level tourist area in Ha Giang for its scale and unique architecture. (Photo: Contributor/Vietnam+)
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