From gold fields to attractive eco-tourism destinations in the highlands of Nghe An

A time of devastation because of "gold thieves"

Having the opportunity to return to Yen Hoa commune (Tuong Duong), we were truly amazed by the changes and prosperity of the village here. The most impressive thing is that the Thai people in Yen Hoa commune know how to do tourism, relying on the landscape and cultural life and customs to attract visitors.tourist.

Heavy rice fields in Yen Hoa (Tuong Duong). Photo: Dinh Tuyen

Tourists coming to Yen Hoa are fascinated by the fields full of grain, with nearly 50 water wheels awake day and night with the Cha Ha River, with the beautiful Sang Le forest and the songs and dances of Thai girls. Many people believe that with the advantage of the landscape, Yen Hoa will be one of the most prominent community tourism destinations in Western Nghe An.

Walking through the rice fields about to be harvested, following the cool Cha Ha River, the water wheels still diligently bringing water to the fields, we can feel the abundance and peaceful life as the name - Yen Hoa. Tourists are also walking in the fields, taking the opportunity to admire the scenery of the mountains and forests in the afternoon and taking pictures next to the water wheels. Few people know that, more than 10 years ago, the image of this place was just a scene of red streams and creeks due togold mining.

The beautiful landscape of mountains, rivers and waterwheels in Yen Hoa commune. Photo: Cong Kien

The “4 Yen” land (including the communes of Yen Na, Yen Tinh, Yen Hoa and Yen Thang) of Tuong Duong district has long been known as a place with large reserves of alluvial gold. Since ancient times, Thai people have been engaged in manual gold panning, bringing their families a significant source of income, helping them have enough to eat during lean seasons.

Then suddenly groups of people came from somewhere, bringing barges, excavators, and high-capacity pumps to dig along streams and fields. The Cha Ha, Nam Ngan, Huoi Nguyen, and Lip streams, which were originally clear and blue, suddenly turned muddy and red, and the water source was polluted.pollutedserious, to the point that fish and shrimp cannot survive, people have to go get them from far away sources to use.

Graceful Thai women next to water wheels. Photo: Dinh Tuyen

Tourists check-in next to the water wheel. Photo: Dinh Tuyen

Route 48C through Yen Hoa is always covered in white dust, passengers passing through always have to endure the noise of all kinds of engines and machines, village life is disrupted, Yen Hoa people always live in a state of "unrest".

At that time, Mr. Vi Kham Mun, a folk artist in Xieng Lip village (Yen Hoa) lamented: "I wonder when the "golden whirlwind" will end, returning a peaceful life to the village? When will the Huoi Nguyen, Nam Ngan, Cha Ha and Lip streams become clear again so that fish and shrimp can return, so that in the afternoon people can go out to do laundry?"

Attractive destination

RememberartistAfter Kham Mun, we crossed the field and went a short distance to Xieng Lip village to chat. It was still the same stilt house on the hillside, but the roads were cleaner and more beautiful.

After many years of meeting again, Mr. Mun was really happy and excited: "Have you visited the rice fields and watched the water wheels along the Cha Ha River? I never thought that one day we would see the rivers and streams in the area become clear and green again, with shrimp and fish swimming in the middle of the stream. And also develop eco-tourism and community tourism."

The beauty of the cajuput forest in Yen Hoa commune (Tuong Duong). Photo: Dinh Tuyen

Over a glass of wine and grilled fish, a familiar dish of the Xieng Lip people, artisan Vi Kham Mun talked a lot about the revival process of the rivers and streams in Yen Hoa. Unable to bear to see the year-round muddy and heavily polluted rivers and streams, the people of Yen Hoa petitioned the commune and district to request organizations and individuals to stop alluvial gold mining, and soon reclaim the land and return the land to the people.manufactureand live.

Machines were gradually withdrawn from the “4 Yen” area, and over the years, the rivers and streams gradually became green and clear again. In the early seasons, the fields were still barren and the productivity was low. With the diligent care of the Thai people, each year the fields became more and more lush and fruitful, water wheels were built along the streams to get water for irrigation, and the scenery became more and more beautiful…

Tourists visit Yen Hoa cajuput forest. Photo: Cong Kien

As an officer of the District Agriculture Department, Mr. Lo Thanh was promoted to become Chairman of the People's Committee of Yen Hoa Commune. Realizing the potential for ecotourism and community in the locality, he decided to build a model.tourism development,both exploiting the beauty of the landscape, preserving cultural identity, and helping people have additional income.

He arranged time to go to Con Cuong district, Quy Chau, Que Phong, and then Thanh Hoa, Hoa Binh, Lao Cai to learn how to do community tourism. When he returned, he sought out experienced units and individuals for advice and even hand-holding.

In particular, there is support from the Provincial Union of Science and Technology Associations with the project "Building a community tourism model associated with hunger eradication and poverty reduction, contributing to the construction of new rural areas in Yen Hoa commune". The project program has supported equipment, facilities, building an art troupe; supporting propaganda, promoting the potential and advantages of tourism development as well asdestinationlocal attractions

Tourists exchange culture and arts with people of Yen Hoa commune. Photo: Dinh Tuyen

Step by step, with the consensus and support of the people, Yen Hoa's tourism model began to take shape with two highlights: the system of nearly 50 water wheels along Cha Ha stream and the cajuput forest in Yen Tan village. Recently, a number of tourist groups have come to Yen Hoa to enjoy the scenery and experiencecultural lifeof Thai people.

Recently, the Union of Science and Technology Associations organized a trial tour to explore Yen Hoa and some destinations in Tuong Duong. The participating members all highly appreciated the landscape, cultural activities and cuisine.