At Ngoc Nhem Homestay (Photo: VNA)
Agreeing with Nhem, Dinh Quy Huu (26), the owner of Huu Thao homestay in Hien
Luong commune, said that more and more locals are willing to take part in
community-based tourism. The homestays can be a focal point for selling local
products such as fresh vegetables, fruits, honey and meat.
Moreover, many new
forms of entertainment have been established like trekking and kayaking,
creating more services and jobs. People are striving to improve their living
standards, while maintaining the pristine landscapes of mountains, forest and
lakes.
In 2016, homestays in Da Bac district received a total of 2,087 visitors, with
35 foreign tourists. The number of international visitors has jumped sharply,
as the households served 197 foreign guests in the first six months of 2017.
Nguyen Van Hien, head of Da Bac district’s Culture Office, said that local
people engage in community-based tourism in various forms. They are encouraged
to grow fresh farm produce and raise cattle to supply homestays and visitors
and though the current scale is moderate, authorised agencies plan to expand
the model.
Among the homestay operators in the two communes, some are people in their
20-30s, able to adapt to new situations and use the internet and social media
to improve their business.
With support from AFAP Vietnam, a company promoting Da Bac community-based
tourism was established recently, drawing the participation of young people.
The company, mainly responsible for bookings and marketing, is expected to
promote the homestays and bring more visitors to the locality.
More importantly, homestays not only improve economic conditions of local
people, they also help them realise the charm of their culture, Hien noted. In the context of international
integration and globalisation, most visitors are struck by the beauty of lush
green mountainous countryside and want to learn about local cultural identity.
Knowing the essence of Da Bac can be found only in the district, local people have
put efforts into learning their history and culture and promoting themselves to
visitors, through traditional costumes, dances and folk tales.-VNA