Over many years, both domestic and foreign tourists to Da Nang prefer to use tourism services in the eastern side of the city, including Son Tra and Ngu Hanh Son districts, than in the northwestern side.

Representatives from the city-based travel agencies conducting surveys about the potential for the tourism development in Hoa Bac Commune.

Meanwhile, the northwestern side of the city, including Lien Chieu and Hoa Vang districts, has great potential for the development of eco-tourism, and community-based tourism.

In particular, the side is blessed with a favourable geographical position with stunning coastline, beautiful mountains and romantic rivers.

Besides, the northwestern part is now home to amazing beaches along Nguyen Tat Thanh Street, plus the Nam O Bay boasting the traditional fish sauce making craft in the Nam O Village which has been recognised as part of national intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

In January 2018, the municipal authorities gave a nod to spend more than 46 billion VND from the city budget on implementing a project to develop beach tourism services along the Nguyen Tat Thanh unique arch-shaped route during the 2018 - 2020 period.

Recently, the city’s Department of Tourism has collected opinions from relevant agencies about the implementation of the Nam O community-based tourism project. The intention of the project is exploit the Nam O Bay’s available potentials, such as traditional craft villages and historical relics, for developing new and special tourism products.

Mr Tan Van Vuong, Head of the Tourism Resource Planning and Development Office of the municipal Department of Tourism, underscored that, under the Nam O community-based tourism project, 8 typical tourism products will be developed.

Notable amongst them are tours to admire the charming sunrise and sunset over Nam O Bay from coracle boats, swim at Nam O Beach, and visit such unique cultural and architectural relic sites as square wells, a worship place dedicated to the souls of the fallen Vietnamese revolutionary soldiers in their struggle against the French forces in the years of 1858, 1859, and 1862, and a temple dedicated to Goddess Lieu Hanh, one of four immortals in Vietnamese legends.

“Also, visitors will have a chance to explore local culture, visit time-honoured traditional craft villages and enjoy Nam O specialities, take photos at Nam O Reef, have pleasant homestay experiences with the locals, visit mural villages, and walk around the Nam O Reef for relaxation” he added.

According to Mr Do Thanh Tan, Head of Hoa Vang District's Culture and Information Office, his district has great potential for the development of community-based ecotourism. Included are pristine natural landscapes, and diverse terrain with plain, midland and mountain forest.

Mr Tan emphasised “Hoa Vang boasts its improved transport infrastructure, and amazing cultural festivals of the Co Tu ethnic minority people in Hoa Phu and Hoa Bac communes”.

A corner of the Yen Retreat tourist site

Most recently, some individuals and businesses have taken the initiative to carry out the first community-based ecotourism projects in Hoa Vang District in a bid to satisfy the increasing demand of locals and visitors.

Specially mentioned is the Yen Retreat tourist site in Hoa Bac Commune’s Nam Yen Village.

Owned by Bui Duc Vu, the site opened its doors to the public in early 2018. Since then, this tourist site has drawn a great deal of attention from local residents and visitors.

Visitors to the site have the opportunity to immerse themselves in nature, breath the cool breeze from the romantic river, and enjoy stunning panoramic views of majestic mountains.

Apart from camping activities, visitors can take a walk along the river, fly kites, go fishing and ride bicycles.

In early October, the first community-based tourism homestay in Ta Lang Village, Hoa Bac Commune officially opened its door.

Covering an area of about 500m², the homestay is named after Mr Dinh Van Nhu, the manager of the homestay.

Guests will have a chance to sleep in stilt houses, as well as participate in numerous exciting activities with locals like cooking, enjoying local dishes, and go fishing.

By THU HA - Translated by MAI DUNG