25 hamlets and villages in western Nghe An province are developing community-based tourism.

This year, Con Cuong district has added two more community tourism villages.

With its diverse landscape including mountains, forests, caves, waterfalls, streams, lakes, and villages of the Thai, Mong, and Khmu ethnic groups, Western Nghe An possesses great potential for cultural and community tourism. Among these, Con Cuong and Tuong Duong districts, located within Pu Mat National Park, are particularly important highlights.

At homestays in Yen Khe and Bong Khe communes (Con Cuong district), tourists can experience the daily life of the Thai ethnic people, from sleeping in stilt houses and enjoying traditional cuisine to participating in agricultural activities such as rice planting, fishing with nets, and tea picking, providing visitors with the most authentic experiences.

Ms. Lo Thi Hoa, head of the community tourism group in Nua village, Yen Khe commune (Con Cuong district), shared: "This year, our homestay will be decorated with richer and more diverse landscapes. In addition, our service staff will receive training to improve the quality of service, from food and beverages to entertainment, in a more systematic and professional manner."

When visiting Nưa village for community tourism, tourists can experience the services offered by the friendly and hospitable Thai people.

In particular, visitors can enjoy dishes prepared using fresh produce grown and raised by the local people.

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We are focusing on expanding and diversifying our products and services while preserving our traditional identity so that tourists have the opportunity to deeply experience the culture of the Thai ethnic group. As a result, our family homestay attracts a large number of tourists every year."

Ms. Lo Thi Hoa - Head of the community tourism group in Nua village.

Ms. Vi Thi Phuong Thao, Head of the Culture, Science and Information Department of Con Cuong District, said: This year, a new feature of the locality is that in addition to the two community tourism destinations in Khe Ran village (Bong Khe) and Nua village (Yen Khe), Con Cuong district has added two more community tourism villages: Nam Son (Mon Son) and Bai Gao (Chau Khe), each with three homestays. Furthermore, the homestays will receive support for investment in landscaping and decoration, with the aim of providing more professional service to guests.

Khe Kèm Waterfall - one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Vietnam.

Located about 25 km from Con Cuong town, Khe Kem Waterfall is considered one of the most pristine and beautiful waterfalls in Vietnam. With a height of over 500m, the waterfall cascades down in a white torrent amidst the mountains and forests, creating a majestic and romantic scene. Surrounding the waterfall is a diverse ecosystem with hundreds of species of wildflowers, making it an unmissable photo opportunity for tourists.

According to Ms. Vi Thi Phuong Thao, Head of the Culture, Science and Information Department of Con Cuong District, the Khe Kem waterfall is so attractive that during major holidays, the number of tourists flocking to it reaches thousands. This shows the strong appeal of this eco-tourism destination.

Recognizing the immense tourism potential of western Nghe An province, local authorities have been implementing various solutions to develop tourism in a sustainable manner, linked to the preservation of nature and local culture.

Alongside investing in tourism infrastructure development, the western districts of Nghe An province have actively developed OCOP (One Commune One Product) products to create distinctive products for tourists. In particular, the model of community-based tourism combined with ecotourism is being promoted, helping to improve the lives of local people.

Ecotourism - A highlight of Western Nghe An

Ecotourism, also known as "green tourism," is a rapidly developing form of tourism in western Nghe An province, thanks to the richness of its pristine forest ecosystem, natural streams and waterfalls, and diverse flora and fauna.

Pu Mat National Park, covering over 94,750 hectares, is one of the key destinations in exploring western Nghe An province. It is not only the "heart" of a World Biosphere Reserve but also a conservation area for many rare and endangered plant and animal species. Within the park's buffer zone are many unique landmarks such as Tra Lan Citadel, Ma Nhai Stele, and Van Temple, attracting the attention of tourists.

Besides that, the Pha Lai Eco-tourism Area (Mon Son commune, Con Cuong district) is also an attractive destination with its picturesque river and mountain scenery. In particular, the experience of taking a boat trip on the clear Giang River, winding through majestic mountains, will bring a feeling of relaxation and peace. When visiting Con Cuong district, tourists should not miss the Nuoc Moc stream in Yen Khe commune, which is also a popular destination for many visitors.

Continuing the journey to Tuong Duong district, visitors will have the opportunity to admire the Tam Dinh sandalwood forest – a cluster of centuries-old sandalwood trees, renowned as the most beautiful forest in Indochina, breathtakingly beautiful. This sandalwood forest covers 70 hectares and is a source of pride and a noteworthy tourist destination in western Nghe An province.

The Tam Dinh sandalwood forest has now become an important tourist attraction, a foundation for developing eco-tourism in Tuong Duong district in particular and Nghe An province in general. It is an ideal destination for those who love eco-tourism and exploring nature. Currently, Tuong Duong district has built a rest stop and is developing a tourist route to attract visitors.

Besides the Tam Dinh sandalwood forest, Tuong Duong district is also known for several other sandalwood forests, which are developing into ecotourism destinations.

According to Mr. Dang Van Vien, Chairman of the Yen Hoa Commune People's Committee, the commune currently has many well-protected sandalwood forests, especially two of the most beautiful ones. Under some of the sandalwood forest canopies that are not yet suitable for tourism development, the local authorities have implemented the planting of medicinal plants, creating products to serve the needs of tourists visiting the area.

With the sandalwood forest along the main road of the commune, the locality has long become an attractive tourist destination, with check-in points created by local people that have attracted many tourists to visit and enjoy local cuisine prepared right under the forest canopy.

Developing ecotourism in the direction of "green tourism" is being emphasized by several communes in Tuong Duong district in recent years. Among them, the border commune of Tam Quang is a well-known destination for tourists, especially the Nam Xan ecotourism site.

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"This year, the local authorities are planning to invest in upgrading, expanding, and paving the road leading to the Nam Xan ecotourism site. With a strategy to develop the Nam Xan ecotourism area in a sustainable direction, combining the exploitation of nature with the protection and promotion of local cultural values, we believe that green tourism in Tam Quang commune will develop strongly in the coming time."

Ms. Kha Thi Hien - Chairperson of the People's Committee of Tam Quang Commune

Western Nghe An is increasingly asserting its position as an ideal destination for those who love exploring nature and experiencing local culture. The majestic nature and friendly, hospitable people will create a memorable experience for all visitors.