Over the past 2 years, the Viet Nam Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF SGP) and the Hoa Vang District government have jointly implemented a project to preserve the biodiversity of the buffer zone of the Ba Na Nui Chua Nature Reserve and the Bach Ma National Park in conjunction with conserving the Co Tu ethnic minority's culture to promote community-based ecotourism.

Visitors going stream trekking in Hoa Bac Commune

The development of the Co Tu community-based ecotourism in Da Nang not only helps to preserve and uphold the long-timed culture of this ethnic group, but it also enhance their living conditions.

Currently, a total of 700 Co Tu families live in the mountainous villages of Hoa Phu and Hoa Bac in Hoa Vang District.

The community-based tourism has drawn a great deal of attention from ethnic inhabitants and visitors, especially foreigners. In particular, the Co Tu people have greeted their guests in a more friendly and civilised manner.

Late last year, 8 tourism service groups were established to serve tourists, namely gongs, arts, food, stream trekking, knitting, singing, brocade weaving, and introductory commentaries, with the participation is 62 Co Tu families.

The Hoa Bac Commune authorities have cooperated with such local tourism enterprises as Vitours, the V.E.I Travel Co Ltd, and the Community-based Tourism Travel and Consultant (CBT) to develop tourism products at the Ta Lang and Gian Bi villages

Mr Le Thien Tu, the Director of V.E.I Travel Co Ltd, underlined a need to build the specific tourism products featuring to the characteristics of the forest ecology and the distinctive culture of the Co Tu ethnic community.

It is a good idea for visitors to the 2 villages to learn more about the cultural life, customs and habits, and production practices of the Co Tu inhabitants, enjoy traditional cuisine and gong arts, go stream trekking, shoot crossbows, make traditional handicrafts and make ‘ruou can’ (rice wine drunk out of a jar through pipes).

Ms Le Thi Thu Ha, the Chairman of Hoa Bac Commune People's Committee said, thanks to the efficiency of the project, the image of the people in the Ta Lang and Gian Bi villages has been widely introduced to domestic and foreign tourists.

The first homestay system in the 2 villages is expected to be put into use in the middle of this year.

It is noticeable, more short-term training courses on environmental protection, food safety, security, and skills to satisfy the demand and tastes of tourists will be offered to Co Tu residents in the coming time.

A training course on brocade weaving has opened for the Co Tu women with the hope of creating attractive products serving visitors that best describe the mountainous region’s imposing nature and the distinctive ethnic culture. Also, these brocade items prove the talent, ingenuity, diligence and industriousness of these ethnic women.