Potential and advantages for developing ecotourism and community tourism in Hai Lang

Hai Lang is a district located in the South of Quang Tri province, adjacent to Hue city, with many potentials and advantages to develop eco-tourism and community tourism. Contributing to improving people's lives and developing the local economy and society.

Tourist attractions in Hai Lang district are mainly concentrated in rural areas such as Tram Tra Loc Eco-tourism Area (Hai Hung commune), My Thuy beach (Hai An commune), La Vang Mother of God Pilgrimage Center (Hai Phu commune), Hoi Ky ancient village (Hai Chanh commune) and many rural areas with beautiful landscapes, associated with festivals and unique traditional craft villages to invest in tourism development. In addition, the district has conducted surveys of new tourist destinations and routes such as Choong waterfall, Chan Hoang waterfall, Cau Mung lake, Heo waterfall, Khe Khe lake, Tram Lon, Tram Khang, Tren dam, etc.

Tram Tra Loc eco-tourism area seen from above. Photo: Cai Van Long

Mr. Nguyen Duc Thuyen, Chairman of Hai Hung Commune People's Committee (Hai Lang District, Quang Tri Province) said: "Currently, Quang Tri Provincial People's Committee has issued a Decision to recognize Tram Tra Loc Eco-tourism Area as a provincial-level community eco-tourism destination. Tram Tra Loc has a planning area of ​​up to 100 hectares, this place is considered a 'green lung' in the middle of the white sand area. This is a large remaining natural forest in Hai Lang District, this forest has existed for hundreds of years and is considered by local people as a priceless asset that nature has bestowed upon them. The ecosystem in Tram Tra Loc is very diverse and rich. Although located in a sandy area with little fertility, all the green trees growing naturally here such as: Barringtonia, Casuarina... are always green. The lake in the middle of Tram Tra Loc is about 10 hectares wide and is always fresh. All blend with the scent of lotus and rice, creating a quite attractive destination for tourists. Currently, in the lake area, there are 7 households doing food business. to serve visitors".

Thousands of locals and tourists from near and far join in catching fish at Tram Tra Loc lagoon festival. Photo: Cai Van Long

Next is Choong Waterfall (Hai Son and Hai Chanh communes), endowed by nature with an extremely amazing beauty, with stunning scenery, immense green mountains and forests. After a long journey across the waterfall, visitors can immerse themselves in the cool stream, listen to the chirping of birds, and let their souls drift into the fresh, airy atmosphere, all the worries of life seem to disappear. Visitors coming here can immerse themselves in the beautiful nature and enjoy the fresh air, especially watching the colorful rhododendrons blooming along both sides of the stream and the schools of stream fish swimming happily in the clear water.

Khe Muong Waterfall, located below Choong Waterfall (Hai Son Commune), although still pristine and not yet exploited, has attracted hundreds of tourists to bathe every day in the summer. Photo: Cai Van Long

Or nestled beside the gentle and poetic O Lau River, there is Hoi Ky village, in Hai Chanh commune, which still preserves many ancient houses hundreds of years old, with unique architectural features, attracting many people who love peaceful villages bearing the mark of time.

This village was founded more than 400 years ago. Through many ups and downs of history, the gentle, simple and honest people are always proud of the name Hoi Ky, a place protected by bamboo groves, surrounded by the legendary O Lau river and a place with unique and rare ancient houses, preserving priceless physical heritages, both ancient and massive.

Ms. Duong Thi Anh Nga, a resident of Hoi Ky village, shared: “Currently, Hoi Ky village still has 16 ancient houses, including 15 houses and 1 family temple. Most of the houses here are over 100 years old. In particular, there are many houses over 200 years old such as the house of Mr. Duong Quang Dan, a descendant of Mr. Ky (a rich man in the old landlord village); the house of Mr. Duong Van Tue, a descendant of the village chief; the house of Mr. Nguyen Tien Dung, a descendant of Mr. Teacher Do,..."

What attracts tourists to Hoi Ky ancient village is the discovery of architectural quintessence that can be hidden in any position in the houses. Many details, though individual, when placed in the overall architecture, do not contradict each other but are extremely delicate and harmonious.

The ancient house in Hoi Ky village is hundreds of years old. Photo: Cai Van Long

A famous spiritual tourist destination that visitors to Hai Lang cannot miss is the La Vang Virgin Mary Sanctuary (Hai Phu Commune) - the largest Catholic pilgrimage center in Vietnam. Attracting hundreds of thousands of tourists and parishioners to worship, it is a place with potential for developing community tourism. Currently, Quang Tri province has planned a general urban development plan for La Vang until 2045, with an area of ​​1,738.5 hectares.

Community tourism is a tourism model in which local people are the main subjects, providing products and services to tourists and sharing the benefits brought by tourism. Through activities serving tourists such as: accommodation, dining, experiencing local culture, selling local souvenirs..., community tourism is a unique and attractive tourism product, meeting the increasing needs of tourists.

To develop community tourism associated with creating sustainable livelihoods for the people, the leaders of Hai Lang district as well as the leaders of Quang Tri province need to carry out the task of planning, having a plan to build a model of community tourism development associated with improving sustainable livelihoods to exploit indigenous cultural values, as well as ensure business efficiency. To do this, it is necessary to have specific research in many areas such as the lives of indigenous residents, culture, typical cuisine, customs, living habits... From there, orient the core values ​​of the community, preserve and develop cultural spaces to nurture, conserve and promote those values.

On that basis, Hai Lang district as well as Quang Tri province need to propose solutions, call for investment, organize and manage tourism, support capital, create conditions for cooperation with businesses, improve professional qualifications and skills for people participating in tourism, contributing to perfecting sustainable community tourism models.

Regarding this issue, Mr. Cap Xuan Ta - Vice Chairman of Hai Lang District People's Committee said : "The district pays great attention to the goal of developing ecotourism and community tourism in rural areas to promote economic development, reduce the development gap between rural and urban areas, honor, preserve and develop the unique values ​​of the locality, contributing to promoting socio-economic development, bringing a better life to the people. For that reason, the district has focused on effectively implementing the goals and tasks of Program No. 04/CTr-UBND dated March 7, 2022 of the District People's Committee on tourism development to 2025 and orientation to 2030. Exploiting and promoting tourism resources effectively, contributing to gradually turning Hai Lang district into an attractive tourist destination, actively contributing to the socio-economic development of the locality, while improving the lives of the people."

Cai Van Long

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/quang-tri-tiem-nang-va-loi-the-de-phat-trien-du-lich-sinh-thai-du-lich-cong-dong-o-hai-lang-post334729.html