Developing trekking tours in a professional and attractive direction

With diverse terrain and natural landscapes, associated with the cultural values ​​of ethnic minorities, since December 2024, Thanh Hoa province has put into operation trekking tourism (hiking and exploring nature) in some mountainous districts. However, for trekking tours to truly become professional and attractive to tourists, more time is needed to perfect and develop the product.

Trekking tour to explore villages in Ba Thuoc district is popular with tourists.

The mountainous districts in the West of Thanh Hoa have extremely rich and diverse natural tourism resources, especially in Pu Luong, Pu Hu, and Xuan Lien Nature Reserves. Through surveying and evaluating the current status of destinations, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism (VH,TT&DL) has selected Ba Thuoc, Quan Hoa and Thuong Xuan districts to pilot the construction of 12 trekking tourism routes, from short-term, easy to go, to long-term, adventurous. In particular, Ba Thuoc district stands out with tourist routes associated with exploring Pu Luong peak, Hon Con Soi, caves, waterfalls and exploring villages of the Thai ethnic group. For trekking routes in Quan Hoa district, not only do they bring visitors an adventurous trekking experience at Pu Hu peak, but they also attract visitors with overnight camping stops. Thuong Xuan district has 5 trekking tourism routes for visitors to choose from. The difference of trekking routes in Thuong Xuan district is that adventurous trekking is combined with learning about heritage trees (Pơ mu, Sa mu), rare animals and outstanding cultural and historical destinations in the journey (Historical relic of Lung Nhai Oath).

After a short time of announcement, trekking tours of Thanh Hoa mountainous districts have been included in the exploitation program by many domestic travel agencies, and have been welcomed and highly appreciated by tourists. Especially the tourist routes associated with destinations in Pu Luong, Pu Hu and Xuan Lien nature reserves.

According to Vu Tuan Phong, CEO of Spo Travel - Sports Tourism (Hanoi), the landscape and cultural values ​​in the trekking routes in the mountainous districts of Thanh Hoa are extremely attractive. Currently, we have also included in the exploitation program and introduced to tourists a number of trekking routes. However, for the 12 announced tourist routes, it is necessary to select the itinerary and sightseeing routes. At the same time, classify the routes to suit the needs of international and domestic visitors; divide the tourist routes by season to suit the weather and climate. In addition, in each tour, it is necessary to research and select the gathering point to organize fun activities, experiences with waterfalls and streams such as: teambuilding, zipline, SUP rowing or bamboo rafting... Thereby, it is both creating an interesting feeling after a long journey and making the trekking tour have highlights, not simply an activity of walking to explore nature".

According to some members of the UNESCO Hanoi Travel Club, trekking tours in Thanh Hoa will become more attractive if they build themed tourist routes, associated with cultural imprints or typical experiences of each route. This is also a way to position the brand for a new type of tourism, associated with the message "Four Seasons". Along with that, Thanh Hoa province needs to urgently deploy the installation of maps, introductory signs, regulations and trekking itinerary instructions at the locations, so that tourists can conveniently check-in and learn. At the same time, strengthen the supervision of tourism activities to limit environmental pollution and protect rare animals and plants in nature reserves. In addition, the development of standards for tours and training of professional tour guides also need to be focused on to create quality and safe experiences for tourists.

Tourists on a trekking journey conquering destinations in Kho Muong village, Thanh Son commune (Ba Thuoc).

Speaking at the ceremony to announce trekking tourism routes in mountainous districts of Thanh Hoa (December 2024), Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Pham Nguyen Hong said: In order for trekking tourism routes in mountainous districts of Thanh Hoa province to become a unique product and be widely accepted by tourists, along with investment in infrastructure, Thanh Hoa province is continuing to research and develop new tourism routes, increasing supplementary services. Along with that, it is necessary for travel businesses to participate in surveying and designing trekking tours and routes, focusing on the experience and discovery on each route, but still ensuring the safety of tourists. The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism will create favorable conditions and accompany businesses to participate in investing, exploiting and developing trekking tourism routes in mountainous districts to achieve the highest efficiency.

Developing trekking tours in Thanh Hoa in a professional manner not only meets the needs of tourists but also promotes the local economy and contributes to the preservation of unique cultural and natural values. With a focus on renewing existing products, trekking tours in the mountainous districts of Thanh Hoa are expected to become one of the attractive types of tourism in the near future for domestic and international tourists.

Article and photos: Le Anh

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/phat-trien-trekking-tour-theo-huong-chuyen-nghiep-hap-dan-235688.htm