Con Cuong needs to develop tourism in conjunction with preserving the cultural identity of the Thai ethnic group.

(Baonghean.vn) - On August 23, Con Cuong district held a conference to summarize the project on preserving, maintaining and promoting the cultural identity of the Thai ethnic group (2013-2017) and to review the project on building and developing tourism (2013-2020).

Over the past five years, Con Cuong district has focused on collecting, restoring, preserving, and safeguarding intangible and tangible cultural heritage. Folk songs, dances, and festivals such as the New Rice Festival, Xang Khan Festival, and the Harvest Festival have been included in competitions and performances at all levels and have received high praise.

Fifteen Thai ethnic folk music and instrument clubs have contributed to serving tourists at community tourism destinations, bringing income to the people of Nua village in Yen Khe commune, Khe Ran village in Bong Khe commune, Xieng village, Cang village in Mon Son commune, etc.

The conference honored 5 collectives and 4 individuals for their outstanding achievements in tourism development in the district over the past 5 years. Photo: Tuong Vi

Regarding the preservation and promotion of tangible cultural heritage, Con Cuong district has collected and preserved artifacts characteristic of Thai culture, such as musical instruments, developed craft villages producing brocade costumes, jewelry, household items, and folk games, both to meet the needs of tourists and to increase income for the local people.

These activities contribute to the nationwide movement for solidarity in building cultural life in residential areas and effectively developing new rural areas. The material and spiritual lives of the people are increasingly improved, social evils are prevented, and superstitious customs are eradicated. As a result, the movement for promoting education and culturally advanced clans is strengthened, and currently, the percentage of villages achieving the title of culturally advanced village is 57.5%.

Over the years, the district has planned and invested in infrastructure at tourist destinations such as Kem Waterfall, Khe Nuoc Moc Stream, Pha Lai Dam on Giang River, Bia Ma Nhai, Pu Mat National Park, and community-based tourism, attracting thousands of tourists to Con Cuong. In the first six months of 2017 alone, the district attracted over 7,400 visitors, with total revenue from accommodation, food, and travel services estimated at 22.5 billion VND, an increase of 11.4% compared to the same period.

The conference honored 2 collectives and 7 individuals for their outstanding achievements in preserving, maintaining, and promoting cultural values ​​and identity during the period 2013-2017. Photo: Tuong Vi

The conference also held discussions and proposed solutions to preserve and promote cultural identity while developing tourism to improve the lives of the people. These included: the Thai ethnic group needing to preserve their own language and writing system; preserving and promoting their traditional costumes, customs, and practices; boosting the development of traditional craft villages; leveraging the local strengths to develop the weaving and handicraft industry; strengthening the promotion and introduction of local products and goods to tourists; reviving traditional festivals, especially the Mon Son - Luc Da festival; and developing tourism in conjunction with the preservation and promotion of cultural values, with a focus on developing spiritual and cultural tourism.

At the same time, specific plans have been put forward for the restoration of traditional stilt houses in Con Cuong district and the construction of a biosphere reserve symbol for Western Nghe An to create a highlight for Con Cuong district.

At the conference, the leaders of Con Cuong district awarded commendations to 2 collectives and 7 individuals for their outstanding achievements in preserving, maintaining, and promoting cultural values ​​during the period 2013-2017; and commendations to 5 collectives and 4 individuals for their outstanding achievements in tourism development in the district over the past 5 years.

Rose