Indigenous culture - the "key" to promoting sustainable tourism (Last article): "Bottlenecks" that need to be "unblocked"

Thanh Hoa possesses a rich and diverse indigenous culture. However, the problem is how to exploit the advantages of those cultural values ​​in effectively linking closely with tourism.

The Nang Han Festival in Van Xuan Commune (Thuong Xuan) is held annually and has become an attractive tourist product. Photo: Nguyen Dat

Potential needs to be awakened

In fact, Thanh Hoa has many potential advantages from the cultural identity of the ethnic groups living in the area. And currently, in localities, the inclusion of cultural elements in tourism development has also been of interest and is considered an effective solution to solve the labor problem as well as promote the values ​​bestowed by nature. However, frankly speaking, at present, cultural identity has only been exploited in a fragmented and small-scale manner, without proper investment, and has not met the increasing needs of tourists.

Considered a famous tourist destination on the Thanh Hoa tourism map, in recent years, the May waterfall tourist area in Thach Lam commune (Thach Thanh) has attracted tourists, not only thanks to the pristine and lyrical beauty of the May waterfall, but this land also preserves many valuable "assets" from the long-standing cultural heritage system of the Muong ethnic group, such as the traditional stilt house system, folk songs, folk dances, gong playing... According to estimates, each year at May waterfall, it attracts about 100,000 visitors to visit and bathe. Despite the tourism potential, the area around May waterfall has only attracted 10 households participating in community tourism and 30 households doing tourism services, the rest are small and spontaneous businesses. Meanwhile, the development of tourism in a professional direction, creating tours from May waterfall, visiting stilt houses, brocade weaving, cultural exchanges... has not been carried out in a systematic and scientific manner. Cultural experience activities have only appeared vaguely, have not really created a highlight and are completely overshadowed by sightseeing and bathing activities at May waterfall. Mr. Bui Van Nang, a cultural and social officer of Thach Lam commune, shared: Although the commune has promoted propaganda and training, because the people here are mainly ethnic minorities, their awareness is still limited and they do not have much knowledge in tourism development. Meanwhile, many cultural values ​​of ethnic minorities in the commune such as brocade weaving are still few, and the number of people who know how to play gongs is also not much. Therefore, to turn the potential cultural heritage of the commune into a circular tourism product is still a long way ahead, and there is still a lot of work to do...

With Nhu Thanh district, where many ethnic groups live together, namely Thai, Muong, Kinh, there are many traditional cultural elements created and passed down by the people. However, in reality, to develop cultural values ​​associated with tourism activities, this place has not been exploited much. Perhaps, only Xuan Thai commune has taken advantage of the natural resources bestowed, and the unique cultural features of the Thai and Muong people to invest in community tourism. The remaining localities such as Roc Ram village, Xuan Phuc commune (Nhu Thanh) - where the Kin Chieng Booc May festival is associated, or Can Khe commune with the Set Booc May festival which has been recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage, and still preserves many cultural features of the Thai ethnic group, although the local government has made efforts to promote and invest, it has not yet developed eco-tourism products, community tourism to create attractive destinations for tourists.

Faced with that situation, the Provincial People's Committee has approved the Project "Preserving, restoring and promoting the values ​​of folk songs and folk dances of Thanh Hoa province in the period of accelerating industrialization and modernization in the period of 2021-2030", and implemented it throughout Thanh Hoa province, including the ethnic minority areas of 11 mountainous districts; Project "Preserving, promoting and developing the language, writing, costumes, and traditional occupations of ethnic minorities in Thanh Hoa province until 2030"; Project to study the restoration and promotion of the values ​​of typical festivals and unique folk cultural forms in Thanh Hoa province to serve tourism development. This is the basis for localities to continue to carry out the work of preserving and promoting traditional cultural values, thereby serving tourism development.

Need for synchronous participation

Mr. Le Huu Giap, Head of the Department of Culture and Information of Thuong Xuan district, shared: In fact, what attracts and makes tourists choose the form of tourism combined with culture is because they experience a new living space, interact with local people and there is a strong imprint of the destination's culture. Therefore, heritage and tourism need to "join hands" closely as two in one to realize mutual benefits. Tourist areas and spots in the province need to continue to research to expand and improve the quality of activities to promote the value of cultural heritage, at the same time understand the psychology of tourists to choose what, emphasize what to suit the trends and tastes of tourists. In addition, heritage sites also need to organize heritage spaces, organize sightseeing activities, organize support services, and additional services to meet the necessary needs of tourists. This connection cannot be without the participation and direction of functional agencies, the relationship between tourist areas and destinations with travel businesses and especially with ethnic communities, those who directly produce and nurture heritage.

Obviously, indigenous cultural values ​​and tourism really need to be linked together, because cultural heritage is an important resource for tourism development, and vice versa, tourism is the most effective way to promote and introduce heritage values ​​to domestic and foreign tourists. Therefore, in recent years, in order to preserve and promote indigenous cultural values, thereby contributing to creating unique tourism products that attract tourists, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has promoted the research, collection and preservation of indigenous cultural values. Open training courses on methods to preserve traditional costumes of ethnic minorities, classes to teach folk songs, folk dances, and traditional music of ethnic minorities to serve tourism development. Encourage and support local communities to participate in tourism activities. Guide and support local people to develop unique tourism products based on indigenous culture. Encourage relevant units and localities to organize traditional cultural festivals and events for tourists to experience such as: Highland Fragrance Festival, Folk Arts Festival - Highland Market, Muong Ca Da Festival, Muong Xia Festival, Kin Chieng Boọc May Festival... At the same time, launch tours to explore craft villages, learn about local culture; develop homestay services so that tourists have the opportunity to stay and immerse themselves in the lives of local people...

Nguyen Dat - Hoai Anh

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/van-hoa-ban-dia-chia-khoa-thuc-day-du-lich-ben-vung-bai-cuoi-diem-nghen-can-khoi-thong-220314.htm