Promoting tourism development through ethnic cultural festivals

Ethnic cultural festivals in Cao Bang are traditional activities, reflecting the spiritual life and customs of the ethnic groups here. Among them, festivals such as Long Tong, Nang Hai, Tranh Dau Phao in Quang Uyen town (Quang Hoa), Bao Lam bull fighting... have become important cultural events, attracting the attention of domestic and foreign tourists. Thanks to these festivals, tourists not only witness unique traditional rituals but also have the opportunity to participate in folk cultural activities such as Then singing, Tinh lute, throwing con, spinning tops,... These experiences not only help connect tourists with indigenous culture but also increase interest and encourage tourism .

Mr. Nong Van Hanh (City) came to Bao Lam bullfighting festival and shared: This is a long-standing traditional culture of my hometown, participating in the festival makes me very happy and proud. The festival atmosphere is bustling, crowded, everyone is excited. This is not only an opportunity to preserve and promote traditional culture but also helps connect the community, promote Cao Bang culture to friends inside and outside the province. The festival contributes to attracting tourists, helping to develop the local economy and tourism.

The development of festival tourism brings many positive impacts to the lives of local people. When tourists come to participate in festivals, the demand for accommodation, food, and transportation increases, creating conditions for people to expand homestay services, restaurants, eateries, souvenir shops, etc. Many families have renovated their stilt houses to become homestays, both preserving traditional culture and earning more income. In addition, people who are knowledgeable about customs and practices also have the opportunity to become tour guides, helping them to preserve cultural heritage and have stable jobs. Not only improving economic life, festival tourism also creates opportunities for traditional craft villages to develop strongly. Handicraft products such as brocade, traditional musical instruments, silver jewelry, and leaf-glazed wine, etc. have the opportunity to reach more customers, thereby helping to maintain and expand production and preserve the cultural values of ethnic minorities.

Many tourists come to the bull fighting festival in Bao Lam district.

In addition to economic benefits, festival tourism also contributes to raising public awareness of cultural and natural conservation. When festivals attract a large number of visitors, the government and people will be more aware of preserving a clean environment, protecting historical sites, and avoiding indiscriminate exploitation of resources. Many localities have implemented green tourism models such as reducing plastic waste and using environmentally friendly products to create an image of sustainable tourism. At the same time, cultural exchanges between tourists and local people also help to enhance national pride, encouraging the younger generation to learn and preserve the customs and practices of their ancestors.

Ms. Nguyen Minh Huyen, a tourist from Hanoi, said: I have heard a lot about the beautiful scenery and unique culture of Cao Bang, especially the traditional festivals. On this occasion, I want to directly experience the festival atmosphere as well as explore the tourism services here. I have tried many services, from homestay in the village to local specialties such as sour pho and Cao Bang sausage. In addition, I also joined a tour to explore Ban Gioc waterfall, Nguom Ngao cave and traditional craft villages. The tourism services here are quite professional, meeting the needs of tourists.

Not only does it have a positive impact on the economy and the environment, festival tourism also contributes to promoting education and broadening the understanding of both locals and tourists. Through festivals, tourists have the opportunity to learn about the history, beliefs and customs of ethnic minorities. Many schools in Cao Bang can also organize extracurricular tours combined with festivals, helping students have a more realistic and vivid view of ethnic culture. At the same time, people participating in the tourism industry also have the opportunity to learn and improve their skills in communication, business, and tourism service management, thereby improving the quality of service and developing the locality in a more professional manner.

In addition, the development of festival tourism also helps strengthen the connection between Cao Bang and other provinces and the international market. When the festival is widely promoted, tourists not only come to participate but also return many times or introduce it to friends and relatives. Local authorities can also take advantage of this opportunity to establish cooperative relationships with travel businesses, expand the tourism market, and attract more investment sources to continue developing infrastructure and services.

Developing tourism through cultural festivals not only helps promote national identity but also brings many practical benefits to the local community. With reasonable investment and effective promotion strategies, Cao Bang can become an attractive destination, attracting a large number of domestic and foreign tourists. This is not only an opportunity to preserve and promote traditional cultural values but also a sustainable direction for economic development, education, environment and people's lives.

Khanh Duy

Source: https://baocaobang.vn/thuc-day-phat-trien-du-lich-thong-qua-cac-le-hoi-van-hoa-dan-toc-3176601.html