Awakening tourism potential

Since the 1960s, Lac Village in Chieng Chau Commune, Mai Chau District (Hoa Binh), has been selected by the government, ministries, and agencies as a tourism destination for international delegations visiting Vietnam. Today, Lac Village is not only a “bright spot” on the Vietnam tourism map but also part of a locality rich in community-based tourism sites, ecotourism centers, and high-end resorts. Notably, in 2024, this area was recognized by the renowned American travel magazine Condé Nast Traveller as one of the 71 most beautiful destinations in the world, thanks to its breathtaking landscapes and vibrant cultural experiences.

The community-based tourism site of Mo Hamlet, Binh Thanh Commune, attracts visitors with its pristine scenaery and well-preserved traditional Muong stilt houses.

Impressive natural landscape

Pristine nature reserves, ancient forests, majestic mountain ranges, sweeping terraced fields, the poetic Hoa Binh Lake, and hundreds of caves, waterfalls, and winding streams paint a picturesque portrait of Hoa Binh as a truly enchanting destination. Endowed with rich tourism resources, this land boasts a terrain shaped by hills and caves, forming unique ecological landscapes ideal for various tourism models—especially ecotourism, wellness tourism, and resort-style travel.

One of the most outstanding features is the expansive Hoa Binh hydropower reservoir, covering 8,000 hectares with a capacity of 9.5 billion cubic meters. Dotted with large and small islands, this landscape is being developed into a National Tourist Area. The province is also home to hot mineral springs in Kim Boi, Lac Son, and Yen Thuy, as well as more than 170 cultural and scenic relics that are currently under preservation.

Hoa Binh also possesses a diverse flora and fauna ecosystem. Its lush primeval forests are ideal for developing ecotourism, golf courses, and luxury resort zones. These forests, which often connect with ethnic minority villages, provide a perfect setting for long trekking tours through areas such as Thuong Tien, Pu Canh, and the Ngoc Son–Ngo Luong forest corridor.

Unique cultural identity

The former Hoa Binh province is a cultural melting pot of ethnic groups, including the Muong, Thai, Dao, Tay, and Mong peoples. The most prominent elements include the distinct Hoa Binh culture, the Mo Muong spiritual heritage, and the legendary De Dat–De Nuoc epic. These are complemented by a unique culinary tradition and an abundance of local specialties, such as bamboo-tube rice, indigenous pork, Da River fish, Cao Phong oranges, and Tan Lac red grapefruit. The people here have a proud revolutionary tradition and are known for their resilience, warmth, and hospitality—traits that form a strong foundation for developing rich and diverse tourism offerings.

Ms. Vuong Phuong Giang, a lecturer at the University of Culture in Hanoi, shared, "I’ve visited many mountainous areas inhabited by ethnic minorities in Hoa Binh, especially the hamlets and villages of the Mong people in Hang Kia and Pa Co and the Dao and Tay people in Da Bac. Each trip is not only an opportunity to research culture but also an incredibly enriching experience. The customs and traditions are still deeply rooted in the local communities, making this land beloved by both domestic and international tourists."

Possessing a “treasure trove” of both tangible and intangible cultural heritage gives Hoa Binh a unique advantage in building its tourism image and branding.

Promoting green tourism evelopment

As part of implementing Project No. 08-DA/TU dated November 1, 2021, issued by the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee on promoting service development—especially in tourism—for the 2021–2025 period, Hoa Binh has mobilized significant resources to develop the service sector in a way that matches its strengths and potential.

To date, the province has attracted 170 investment projects in tourism, trade, and services, with a total registered capital of approximately VND 26,223 billion. Several tourism projects have already been completed and put into operation, creating new jobs and opportunities. Notable examples include the Huong Binh Cable Car and the Ngoi Hoa Eco-tourism Area. Infrastructure projects such as “Developing Hoa Binh tourism infrastructure” and “Infrastructure development for comprehensive tourism growth in the Greater Mekong Subregion—Phase 2” are also gradually being realized.

In parallel, Hoa Binh is actively promoting its tourism image through various communication campaigns and regularly hosting events and tourism promotion programs. The province is focusing on building tourism products that align with resource conservation, heritage preservation, and the revival of traditional crafts such as brocade weaving, cloth-making, rice wine brewing, and souvenir production. Agricultural tourism is being encouraged as well, with the aim of developing experiential tourism programs that allow visitors to explore local farms, engage in activities, and shop for indigenous goods.

At present, the former Hoa Binh province has about 20 community-based tourism sites, over 200 homestays, and more than 50 ecotourism and resort destinations. The province is aiming to make tourism a key economic sector, with ecotourism and community-based tourism as its signature products.

Bui Minh