Awakening the Tourism Potential of Thuong Long

Blessed with the picturesque Ho Ly Lake, sprawling cinnamon forests, and the rich cultural heritage of the Dao and Muong ethnic groups, Thuong Long Commune possesses numerous advantages for developing ecotourism and community-based tourism. Moving from scattered resources, the locality is step-by-step shaping its tourism products, connecting landscapes with indigenous culture, and mobilizing local residents to participate—aiming to turn tourism into a new livelihood.

Ho Ly Lake is surrounded by mountains and forests, creating advantages for ecotourism development in Thuong Long.

On weekends, Ho Ly Lake becomes a rendezvous point for groups of young people and families seeking camping, boating, and capturing moments on the suspension bridge spanning the water inlet. In the early morning, thin fog drifts over the lake surface; as dusk falls, mountain silhouettes reflect in the blue waters. Detached from urban bustle, this location draws visitors with its pristine, expansive charm.

Also known as Thuong Long Lake, Ho Ly Lake was formed from two streams—Ly Stream and Chanh Stream—opening into two water branches that wind between rolling hills. Along the lake lie open, spacious clearings and small paths cutting through cinnamon and acacia forests. The suspension bridge linking both shores has become a favorite spot for sightseeing and photography. Through social media, Ho Ly Lake has grown increasingly familiar to travelers.

The suspension bridge spanning the lake inlet serves as a highlight in the Ho Ly landscape.

Visiting Ho Ly Lake for the first time with her family, Ms. Bui Thu Thuy from Hoa Binh Ward was impressed by the wide lake surface, fresh air, and largely untouched natural landscape. She shared: “Ho Ly is beautiful and peaceful, highly suitable for weekend rest and camping. If there were more rest stops and food services, visitors would find it more convenient and want to stay longer to explore the local scenery and culture.”

Leaving the lakeshore, the journey to explore Thuong Long continues through forests and villages. With forest coverage reaching 57.95%, cinnamon and acacia groves stretching along hillsides yield income while adding a unique character to the scenery. The locality also features over 112 hectares of tea, 97 hectares of pomelos, and 101.5 hectares of aquaculture—providing raw materials to develop local cuisine, souvenir gifts, and agricultural experiences.

The appeal of Thuong Long also lies in the everyday lives of the Dao and Muong communities around the lake, reflected in their stilt houses, traditional attire, customs, cuisine, and community activities. In 2026, the commune’s Banh Giay (round glutinous rice cake) pounding team won the special prize at the Phu Tho Provincial Banh Chung Wrapping and Banh Giay Pounding Competition. The landscape and native lifestyle endow Thuong Long with rich resources to foster ecotourism tied to cultural experiences.

Thuong Long residents preserve traditional Banh Giay pounding techniques, contributing materials to community tourism development.

Completed Banh Giay cakes embody the distinct culinary heritage of Thuong Long residents.

While potential is evident, Thuong Long tourism still lacks products strong enough to retain visitors and generate steady revenue. On March 18, 2026, the Commune People’s Committee issued Plan No. 77/KH-UBND and implemented Resolution No. 14-NQ/BTV of the Standing Committee of the Commune Party Committee on preserving and promoting ethnic cultural values alongside ecotourism and community tourism development. This serves as the foundation for the locality to shape suitable offerings.

According to Comrade Nguyen Ngoc Khiem—Chairman of the Thuong Long Commune People’s Committee—the locality determines that tourism development must be rooted in its unique inherent values. The commune focuses on finalizing master planning, incrementally investing in essential infrastructure, building products, and encouraging residents to provide services—coupling resource exploitation with landscape and environmental protection and identity preservation.

The locality has finalized dossiers and submitted them to the Department of Construction for appraisal and the Provincial People’s Committee for approval regarding the task outlines and cost estimates for the Thuong Long Commune Master Plan to 2045. This forms the basis for arranging development spaces, attracting resources, and curbing spontaneous exploitation that damages water sources and scenery.

Under this orientation, local residents are defined as the core subjects. Dining, accommodation, transport, tour guiding, and local product showcases offer additional opportunities to generate on-site income. Alongside infrastructure investment, the locality focuses on hospitality skills, environmental sanitation, and destination promotion across digital platforms.

While Ho Ly Lake is the highlight, the competitiveness of Thuong Long tourism rests on its ability to link the lake with cinnamon forests, ethnic villages, agricultural produce, and Dao and Muong cultures. When these advantages are systematically tapped in line with master planning and community benefits, tourism will unlock extra livelihoods, elevate the value of local produce, and drive economic momentum for this land.

Minh Vu