Yen Thanh - a land that captivates visitors.

(Baonghean.vn) - The abundant potential in natural resources, human resources, intangible cultural heritage, and traditional crafts has given Yen Thanh a unique cultural identity. In recent years, Yen Thanh has focused on investing in infrastructure development to better serve the needs of tourism development, creating attractive tourist tours in Nghe An.

Many of my friends exclaimed: "We thought Yen Thanh was just about rice and ducks, but who knew tourism here is so rich and attractive? Once you visit, you'll want to come back again." Numerous spiritual and ecological tourist spots, caves, along with folk songs and melodies... captivate visitors. That's why the land of Yen Thanh has inspired musicians: "We promised each other that I would return this moonlit season / My heart aches, not yet fulfilled with the rice fields / And then I yearn for Yen Thanh / Where the Dinh River and Gam hills are the memories of my childhood..." (lyrics from the song "Love of the Rice Fields" by Phan Thanh Chuong).

Procession at Duc Hoang Temple, Phuc Thanh commune (Yen Thanh district). Photo: Thai Duong

Speaking of spiritual tourism in Yen Thanh, the first highlight is the Gam Pagoda spiritual tourism area, also known as Chi Linh Pagoda (located in Hamlet 6, Xuan Thanh Commune). This ancient pagoda is extremely sacred, possessing high artistic, architectural, and cultural value; it is a space visited by many people, especially during the Vu Lan festival.

Next is the Duc Hoang Temple in Phuc Thanh commune – a structure built by our ancestors in a location where water flows and energy converges, giving it a solemn, sacred, and mysterious appearance. The temple is nestled against a primeval forest with many ancient trees, facing the lotus pond of Dieu Oc village (also known as Thuy O pond) – one of the most beautiful landscapes in the district. Visiting the Duc Hoang Temple festival in early spring is an opportunity to admire the enchanting scenery of green mountains and clear waters, a peaceful place that many people long to return to.

Ve Vung Dam - Yen Thanh - Nghe An. Photo by Tran Chau

In Yen Thanh, ecotourism is famous for its system of lakes and dams "hanging" on cliffs, with the Ve Vung Dam tourist area being the centerpiece. Located 7 km west of Yen Thanh town, with a total area of ​​over 720 hectares and a water storage capacity of 20 million cubic meters, surrounded by beautiful hills and mountains, and boasting an incredibly rich and diverse flora and fauna, Ve Vung Dam is considered an ideal destination for those seeking tranquility and peace. Today, the local people have invested in building comfortable guesthouses, restaurants, ecotourism boats and pedal boats to serve tourists, and excellent fishing spots at Ve Vung Dam.

Traditional boat racing at the Duc Hoang Temple Festival. (Archival photo)

In Yen Thanh, the land of rice paddies, visitors can also enjoy the simple, rustic folk songs of the Vi and Giam people, imbued with the heartfelt emotions of the honest farmers who toil under the sun and rain in the fields. Currently, the Vi and Giam folk songs in this rice-growing region are becoming increasingly rich and diverse, serving as an endless source of inspiration for the people of Yen Thanh. In any commune of the district, especially during festivals and springtime, you can hear the haunting melodies of these folk songs that captivate you.

Yen Thanh has long been known as an ancient land. From the Pre-Le Dynasty and the Ly Dynasty, many migrations and land reclamation efforts in this area were intensified, establishing prosperous villages and hamlets, forming fertile fields that became the rice granary of the North Central region, bearing the distinctive characteristics of rice-based civilization.

During the dry season, the Ve Vung Dam reveals many submerged islands, creating flat, elevated areas suitable for camping and relaxation. (Photo: Archival image)

Yen Thanh boasts a system of caves, lakes, dams, primeval forests with rich vegetation, and a collection of historical relics including communal houses, temples, pagodas, shrines, and attractive scenic spots. The entire district has 522 historical and scenic sites, of which over 200 have been cataloged and managed. To date, 24 have been recognized as national relics, and 39 have been classified at the provincial level. Many relics possess unique architectural and artistic value, which can be exploited to serve community tourism development. Along with its system of cultural and historical relics, Yen Thanh has many traditional craft villages, cultural and historical festivals, traditional folk festivals and beliefs, and a rich repertoire of folk songs, <i>ví</i>, <i>giặm</i>, <i>chèo</i>, <i>tuồng</i>, and folk poetry. These are treasures of national culture, attracting tourists for sightseeing and research.

Mr. Phan Van Tuyen, Deputy Secretary of the District Party Committee and Chairman of the District People's Committee, said: Thanks to the local promotion and introduction through mass media in recent times, many travel agencies have come to Yen Thanh to survey and invest in the tourism sector.

Most recently, Bac Asia Group has surveyed investment opportunities to develop the Ve Vung Dam eco-tourism area by planting vineyards and orange groves around the lake, creating a more attractive eco-tourism highlight. At the Ru Gam Temple and Pagoda spiritual tourism area, a company is also preparing to invest in the construction of a viewing platform, Buddha statues, and other facilities.

Hoa Thanh commune (Yen Thanh district) is thriving thanks to the new rural development program. Photo: Thai Hong

This year, the district will invest in renovating and upgrading the spiritual and ecological tourism road around the lotus pond and Duc Hoang Temple, preparing for the first Lotus Festival at Duc Hoang Temple in July. Currently, the district is assigning Phuc Thanh commune to clear the road, prepare parking areas, and other activities to ensure the Lotus Festival is well-organized. In addition, Yen Thanh is also preparing to hold the inauguration ceremony of the Phan Dang Luu Monument in the district center and the District Martyrs' Memorial Temple on the occasion of the War Invalids and Martyrs' Day on July 27th. These meaningful activities will create a lasting impression on tourists visiting Yen Thanh.

Xuan Hoang