Developing rural tourism associated with regional characteristics

In recent years, all levels, sectors and localities in the province have been promoting the development of rural tourism products on the basis of fully exploiting the strengths and unique features of each region (indigenous culture, craft villages, OCOP products). Thereby, creating attractiveness to attract domestic and international tourists and contributing to bringing economic value to local people.

Tourists participate in folk games at Yen Trung tourist village (Yen Dinh).

Rural tourism is a type of tourism that can bring visitors cultural and natural experiences that are "realistic" and "authentic". When choosing this type of tourism, visitors will have interesting experiences, such as trying to be a farmer, catching fish, planting rice, picking tangerines, making handicrafts, visiting traditional craft villages, shopping for souvenirs, regional specialties... In fact, in recent years, based on the potential and advantages of nature, landscape, along with the cultural values ​​of the people that are still preserved, many localities in the province such as Ba Thuoc, Lang Chanh, Thuong Xuan, Quan Son, Quan Hoa have initially put into exploitation to serve the development of community tourism and rural tourism.

Head of the Department of Culture and Information of Thuong Xuan district, Le Huu Giap, said: Thuong Xuan is a locality with rich and diverse tourism resources. It owns a system of beautiful caves and waterfalls; many famous spiritual tourist attractions such as Cam Ba Thuoc and Ba Chua Thuong Ngan temples, historical and cultural relics of Lung Nhai Oath; many Thai villages still retain their pristine features and cultural identities such as Ma village, Vin village... In recent times, the district has focused on exploiting the maximum potential and advantages from the rich available tourism resources, especially the terraced fields, cultural activities of the Thai ethnic group, spring water sources and natural ecosystems to develop tourism in a sustainable direction associated with the interests of the community. At the same time, mobilize all resources to invest in infrastructure and facilities; build typical tourism products, such as community tourism, rural tourism to attract tourists to visit and relax. Currently, many households in Vin and Ma villages have developed community tourism, built homestays to attract and serve tourists, bringing high income to households living in the villages. At the same time, the district also focuses on and encourages people to promote the development of organic agriculture, high-tech agriculture to create typical products associated with the OCOP Program to serve the shopping needs of tourists...

In localities in the province, many agricultural tourism farms have also been established such as Golden Cow Farm (Thuong Xuan); Linh Ky Moc Ecological Farm (Thanh Hoa City); Anh Duong Farm, Yen Trung tourist village (Yen Dinh)... Along with that, there are also agricultural tourism products combined with community tourism in Hieu village, Don village, Kho Muong village (Ba Thuoc); Nang Cat village (Lang Chanh).

At Yen Trung Tourist Village, since its inception, the exploitation of cultural values ​​of the people living around the area has been promoted to develop diverse tourism products, especially rural tourism. Coming here, visitors will enjoy the beauty of a peaceful, quiet countryside with open space, and admire the vast rice fields. In addition, visitors will visit the ancient house hundreds of years old with the imprint of the North Central countryside right in the tourist village, along with items associated with the lives of agricultural residents such as wood stoves, cupboards, stone mortars... scientifically arranged inside the houses. Next, visit the clean farm, growing vegetables, tubers, fruits such as cantaloupe, cucumber...; and can also experience the life of farmers through activities such as using fishing nets, fishing on boats, participating in jet-skiing and enjoying dishes with a strong local flavor such as crab soup, perch, pickled eggplant, learning about the lifestyle and customs of the people. Also thanks to exploiting the characteristics of the life and activities of local people to serve tourism development, in recent years, this place has attracted quite a lot of tourists to experience and learn.

In addition, in the province, there are many OCOP products that have been recognized and are being visited and purchased by tourists such as Cu Nham fish sauce (Quang Xuong), Thang Long rice vermicelli (Nong Cong), Viet Trang sedge mats (Nga Son), Muong Ca Da longan cake (Quan Hoa)... Developing OCOP products associated with tourism development is a direction that needs to be promoted. Because tourism is not only a very potential promotional channel, but also an extremely effective consumption channel for the province's OCOP products. This is also considered an important premise for localities in the province to promote the development of rural tourism products in a complete direction, from sightseeing, dining, experiencing to shopping for products.

From the perspective of a travel agent, Mr. Pham Tien Hai, Director of Long Hai International Travel Company, Permanent Vice Chairman of Thanh Hoa City Tourism Association, said: With its existing strengths in agriculture and with the support of the National Target Program on New Rural Development, Thanh Hoa is fully capable of developing a variety of rural tourism products associated with regional characteristics. This is also one of the important solutions to diversify products, expand the province's tourism network and system. However, in reality, the development of rural tourism in the province is still "fragmented", small-scale and lacking in depth, unsustainable, and lacking a systematic approach to attract and "retain" tourists. Therefore, in order for rural tourism to develop and gradually assert its position in the tourism industry structure, it is necessary for all levels, sectors, and people to participate in investing appropriately, commensurate with the potential and advantages of each locality.

Article and photos: Nguyen Dat

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/phat-trien-du-lich-nong-thon-gan-voi-dac-trung-vung-mien-219993.htm