Not many years ago, when mentioning Hoang Su Phi - a disadvantaged western district of Ha Giang Province - one could image treacherous roads and remote villages hidden in the mist. Now, the district has become an attractive destination for tourists who want to explore the natural scenery and seek a deeper connection with traditional cultural identity.
Hoang Su Phi District currently has over 3,720 hectares of terraced fields, spreading across 24 communes and towns.
Transformation from community-based tourism
Trieu Menh Quyen, the owner of Hoang Su Phi Bungalow and Dao's Homestay, is a Red Dao ethnic man who has become a pioneer in developing community-based tourism development, bringing a new look to the local community.
After graduating from the Vietnam Youth Academy and the National Economics University, Quyen returned to his hometown and started a business with his brother by renovating the family's traditional house into a homestay.
In the early days, they faced many difficulties, but with hard work, the family's establishment gradually developed and gained tourists’ interest.
Quyen joined the local youth to learn many necessary skills in hospitality career, from management to communication, culinary knowledge, and tour organisation.
His family now earns a stable income of about 300 million VND per year.
Hoang Su Phi District currently has over 3,720 hectares of terraced fields, spreading across 24 communes and towns. Of which, more than 670ha of terraced fields in 11 areas have been ranked as national landscapes by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, namely Nam Ty, Thong Nguyen, Ho Thau, Ban Luoc, San Sa Ho, Ban Phung, Thang Tin, Nam Khoa, Po Lo, Ban Nhung, and Ta Su Choong.
Since 2017, the district has implemented plans and initiatives to promote the potential of the local terraced fields in developing tourism.
Notably, a cultural and tourism week entitled ‘Travelling through the terraced fields of Hoang Su Phi’ has been held annually during the ripe rice season in autumn, providing a colourful cultural space for visitors.
An aerial view of terraced fields in Hoang Su Phi (Photo: Duc Toan)
The event features a wide range of activities imbued with indigenous while honouring the value of the terraced fields and introducing the cultural diversity of local ethnic groups.
Visitors to the event can enjoy colourful performances, participate in contests about Shan Tuyet tea, try their hands at making ‘banh day’ (round glutinous rice cake), and sample local traditional specialties.
They can also join paragliding rides to admire the magnificent beauty of Hoang Su Phi's terraced fields from above.
Diverse cultural identity
Home to 13 ethnic groups, Hoang Su Phi District boasts unique cultural treasures. Traditional festivals, such as: Gau Tao Festival of the Mong people, Ban Vuong Festival of the Dao people, and Long Tong Festival of the Tay people are all imbued with mountainous cultural identity, creating a rich resource for developing community-based and cultural tourism products.
With six community-based tourism cultural villages, including Nam Hong (Thong Nguyen Commune), Tan Phong (Ho Thau Commune), and Na Leng (Ban Phung Commune), Hoang Su Phi has established itself as an ideal destination for those who love to travel to mountainous regions.
Visitors will be immersed in a rich cultural space filled with stories about the land, people and history of the district.
They can also explore traditional crafts of local ethnicultural and tourism weec groups, such as the silver carving craft of Nung ethnic people in Nang Don Commune and Po Ly Ngai Commune, the forging craft of Tay people in Nam Son Commune, the bamboo weaving craft of Mong people in Then Chu Phin Commune, and the brocade embroidery art of the Dao people in Ho Thau Commune.
During their stay in Hoang Su Phi, visitors can engage in exciting activities such as catching carp in rice fields, exploring the majestic four-tiered waterfall in Nam Khoa Commune, and joining tours to ancient tea gardens.
A performance at the opening ceremony of the ‘Travelling through the terraced fields of Hoang Su Phi’ tourism week 2023 (Photo: baohagiang.vn)
With available tourism potential and advantages, Hoang Su Phi District has developed a diverse range of tourism products, focusing on four main groups: community-based tourism, cultural tourism, ecological tourism, and adventure tourism.
For community-based tourism, the district has provided funding to upgrade facilities at cultural houses in tourism villages, establish traditional art troupes, and open spaces to display local typical products.
For ecological tourism, the district is actively inviting investors and organisations to develop more tourism services focused on dining, accommodation, entertainment, and shopping.
In addition, the district is working on a project to build infrastructure for the Bao Yen Aerial Adventure Tourism Complex in Nam Ty Commune and Thong Nguyen Commune to create a fresh and attractive product for adventure lovers.
Great attention has also been paid to organising and promoting traditional festivals, folk games, and cultural programmes in order to help visitors gain a closer look into the cultural and historical values of the locality.
The terraced fields of Hoang Su Phi not only demonstrate laborious efforts of local people but also symbolise the beauty of culture and resilient spirit of the local community that has endured hardship to emerged stronger in life.
Lu Mai - Translated by NDO
NDO - en.nhandan.vn - Feb 18, 2025
