More than five years ago, Hoa Bac, belonging to Hoa Vang District, Da Nang, comes to people’s thoughts as a commune that is renowned for its impressive forest economy development pace. In recent years, people and tourists have chosen to come to this mountainous venue because they can experience and enjoy the fresh air as well as typical products here. Developing tourism associated with agro-ecology in tandem with promoting local traditional cultural values is the direction that the Hoa Bac authorities and people are aiming for.

Tourists come to visit and learn about new tourist attractions in Hoa Bac Commune, Hoa Vang District. Photo: THANH TINH

Promoting local agricultural products via homestays

These days, in addition to entertainment, outdoor picnic spots or new check-in points frequented by the young, homestays have also begun to become attractive places to experience the culture and cuisine in Hoa Bac.

Put into operation from September 2021, Nam Yen homestay in Nam Yen Village, Hoa Bac Commune of Ms Do Thi Huyen Tram, who bravely quit her administrative job to switch to tourism, is one of the attractive destinations. With her efforts to explore, learn and change every day according to the feedback of visitors, Ms Tram not only masters the family economy but also creates jobs for workers

On top of that, Ms Tram's homestay is also a place helping to consume and promote local agricultural products such as bags of string tea, organic rice, bananas, grapefruit, guava, honey or sesame oil that are collected from local households in the village. Most people and tourists coming to the homestay do not hesitate to buy these products, they even "ask" Tram to buy more delicious, clean and healthy products back to the lowland as gifts.

“While staying here, tourists also enjoy Hoa Bac specialties such as local chicken, pork, eels, frogs, wild vegetables. In the sugarcane, chili, potato, cassava, and peanut crops, we also buy agricultural products from farmers and become a channel to consume products for them. By making tourism linked to agro-ecology, we are creating a tourism community and enhancing local products,” explained Ms. Tram.

Joining hands to increase the value of specialities

Ecological agriculture in Hoa Bac is associated with vegetable gardens, fruit trees, fields, barns, fish ponds, villages, mountain landscapes. An array of agricultural products are linked with tourism via homestays, gardens, roadside eateries. Therefore, food and agricultural products are becoming popular and appreciated by the people and tourists. However, how to make the value of featured products have brands and create sustainable livelihoods for locals has been still a big question needed to be solved.

According to Mr Ho Phu Thanh, Chairman Vice of Hoa Bac Commune People's Committee, apart from restaurants, homestay authorities assisting in solving output for local agricultural products, the commune also hopes to be received support from at all levels and sectors to find a sustainable and long-term direction for local agricultural products. Besides, it is necessary for farmers to produce quality products, then jointly build a brand identity and geographical indications for specific products to increase the value of products in tandem with contributing to the local economy and improving the livelihoods of the people.

As shared by Dr. Chu Manh Trinh, Head of the Hoa Bac Community Research and Development Group, ecological agriculture is a potential advantage and spearhead of the Hoa Bac community's livelihood.

Over the last few years, Hoa Bac ecological agricultural products have won the hearts of many locals and tourists. Therefore, the Hoa Bac Community Research and Development team is aiming to promote the development of ecological agriculture associated with community tourism in the commune and make it become a sustainable development strategy in the future. For the time being, the team is engaging with the authorities and people of Hoa Bac to build a strategy for the distribution and consumption of typical agricultural products.

“Tourists need simplicity and rusticity and they choose Hoa Bac just because they want to recharge or find inspiration in life after a tiring working week. They can enjoy the fresh air, visit the beautiful landscapes, village roads, rice fields, and embankments of Hoa Bac as well as enjoy delicious food or buy local products as gifts. Those who work in tourism and management here need to promote their potential and inherent strengths to retain as well as attract more people and tourists to come to Hoa Bac Commune" emphasized Dr Chu Manh Trinh.

Reporting by THANH TINH- Translating by T.VY