How can we develop tourism effectively?

I recently visited Ha Giang province. It's the northernmost province of Vietnam, home to the Lung Cu flagpole. Ha Giang is also a province where mountainous forests occupy a large portion of its area. It's also home to the Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark. Compared to western Nghe An, the terrain and living conditions of the people in Ha Giang are much more difficult. The Mong, Tay, Nung, and Dao ethnic groups live beneath towering rocky mountains that seem to reach the sky. The people mainly live by cultivating corn and rice in rocky crevices. Yet, you can see corn and rice everywhere. The people there are truly hardworking and diligent.

Ha Giang tourism has been and continues to affirm its position in the hearts of tourists. (Illustrative photo: Nguyen Duc Phuoc/VnExpress)

But what's even more impressive is that the people of Ha Giang, both adults and children, are very skilled in tourism. In this mountainous region, where rocks are more abundant than trees and difficulties abound, the high-altitude districts of Ha Giang boast exceptionally unique natural landscapes. This is the ideal environment and terrain for developing the tourism industry. The people of Ha Giang, whether of the Mong or Red Dao ethnic groups, are very professional in participating in the tourism service supply chain.

Upon arriving in the Dong Van Karst Plateau, visitors are greeted with great courtesy and gentleness. If they spot you, a local child will greet you politely. There's absolutely no persistent pestering to sell the bouquet of flowers they're holding. You also won't have the opportunity to give the children money, as they won't accept it. They'll only take 10,000 VND if you buy a small bouquet of flowers that a young girl or boy has picked up in the mountains and is selling to tourists.

People in the highland villages of Ha Giang discourage tourists from giving money to children. They believe that giving children money will discourage them from working, set a bad precedent, and, most importantly, cause the children to drop out of school for the sake of money. The locals also believe that if someone receives money from a tourist, they must truly deserve it.

In the tourist areas of Ha Giang, the prices of goods, souvenirs, and tourism products are diverse and reasonable, not as expensive as what is often seen at destinations in many other localities. The friendliness, politeness, and hospitality are making everyone who comes to Ha Giang feel fond of it…

Tourists experience homestay tourism and explore the Giang River in Con Cuong. Photo courtesy of Ba Hau.

Western Nghe An province also has many scenic spots. Many destinations have been developed for tourism and services. However, our approach to tourism still has many limitations. Among them, the human factor is a major concern. We are currently developing tourism in the villages of the Western region in a haphazard way. While we have natural potential, the way we can bring it to practical value remains very limited. To develop tourism effectively, the first thing that needs to change is none other than the awareness and behavior of the people.

Lau Va Xenh