In the middle of the picturesque Dai Binh midland village in Que Trung Commune, Nong Son District, Quang Nam Province, there is a primeval forest housing hundreds of precious wooden trees reaching up to the blue sky. It is locally known as Cam.

The concreted road leading to Cam looks like a soft brush stroke among the green background of the midland mountains, transforming the entire village landscape. Riding along the small zigzag road which is full of flowers and the sound of birds chirping, not only do visitors feel the fresh atmosphere, but they also have the feeling of being lost in the realm of adventure.

According to Mr Tran Kim Hung, former Head of Dai Binh Village, almost all locals do not know exactly how old the Cam is because it has already existed since their birth. As the flood season comes, the water of the Thu Bon river rises quickly so Cam is like a shared house for people to shelter. In the past, they also built stables for buffaloes and cows in the forest to be safe during the stormy season but now people no longer raise their cattle there to protect the pristine nature of Cam forest

Dai Binh villagers consider Cam as a treasure built by ancestors and handed over to posterity since the system of trees intertwining together here is like a giant air conditioner creating a cool climate for the village amid the current global warming. Besides, although Dai Binh struggles to face dozens of storms and floods every year, the village has been always a peaceful place due to its great terrain.  During summer, Cam is like a giant green umbrella placed in the middle of the village to cover the scorching sun. Not to mention that fallen leaves in the forest have formed a layer of humus that both keep the soil moist and forms an inexhaustible source of natural fertilizer.

2. As shared by Mr Nguyen Thanh Tuyen, Head of Village and Director of Dai Binh Agricultural Tourism Service Cooperative, in 2017, the village officially had a copy of the convention supplementing the 1988 convention. In which, Article 16 regulates the protection and development of Cam forest. Understanding the valuable effects of the Cam, each local has been conscious of preserving, not trespassing, cutting down trees as well as hunting and trapping animals. On top of that, during holidays, and festivals, the government, associations and mass organizations have regularly mobilized people to plant new forests on vacant land.

Recently, within the framework of the Dai Binh Culture and Tourism Festival, 2022 taking place in August, Nong Son District People's Committee held a ceremony drawing the attention of numerous forest civil servants and people to launch planting trees in the vacant areas.

According to Mr Tran Luu, Deputy Director of Nong Son District Agricultural Extension Centre, at the seminar introducing Dai Binh tourism potential last year, many experts and scientific researchers spent plenty of time discussing, evaluating and emphasising the promotion of the potential of vegetation in Dai Binh Village, especially the Cam forest to develop endemic tourism products.

Mr Tran Kim Hung stands next to the famous carpentry that has been attached with tracking plates. Photo: NHU HANH

3. For ages, Dai Binh residents have always believed that it is the green living space and precious herbs picked from Cam forest that has helped local people live healthier and longer. According to a survey of experts, although the Cam forest has an area of only about 11.5 hectares, it houses an array range of famous woods such as Huynh (Tarrietia javanica Blume), Mit Nai (Artocarpus asperulus). In particular, the Cam forest has 51 Huynh Dan (Dalbergia odorifera) trees, which is a rare and precious type that needs measures to protect and develop genetic resources.

Although Dai Binh has just entered the tourism industry for a few years now, its "garden house" model has conquered visitors with the quality that meets the criteria of "green, clean, delicious". With the garden space accompanied by mountains behind and the river in front, the village has become a charming destination not to be missed for tourists.

Bearing the mindset of a young adult who is enthusiastic about village work, Mr Nguyen Thanh Tuyen always wants to promote the value of the Cam forest in the development of local eco-tourism. He hopes that one day, visitors will be able to walk through the fragrant gardens of fruit trees, and picturesque village roads to enjoy the magnificent beauty of precious trees, and listen to birdsong while feeling peace of mind.

To build a project to develop Dai Binh eco-tourism, the consulting unit, Mastery Investment and Management Consulting Co., Ltd. has investigated and assessed the overview of the village's plant resources, especially the Cam forest. In particular, vegetation and cultural factors are one of the potential to create the village's mark. However, to fulfil the plan of making local eco-tourism, not only does Dai Binh have to try to preserve the "treasure of the village" but it also needs to know how to develop it most effectively.

Reporting by NHU HANH - Translating by T.VY