Tan Hoa - A place with untapped tourism potential

Formed from the merger of Tan Hoa Ward, Hoa Binh Commune, and Yen Mong Commune, the present-day Tan Hoa Ward has not only expanded its administrative boundaries but has also accumulated diverse layers of tourism resources, blending history, culture, and nature.

The highlight is a system of historical and cultural relics, especially Tien Phi Cave, a National Relic Site. It possesses both natural scenic value and deep-rooted folklore and religious significance, long serving as a popular destination during festivals, full moons, and the lunar new year. Its vast chambers, intricate stalactite systems, and spiritual aura create a unique allure, ideal for spiritual tourism combined with nature exploration.

According to Ms. Bui Phuong Thao, Vice Chairwoman of the Tan Hoa Ward also boasts provincial-level relics rich in history and communal culture. The site where President Ho Chi Minh visited the Hoa Binh Socialist Labor Youth School stands as a vivid testament to his profound interest in education. Other sites include the Three Fairies Temple – Thang Cave, a familiar spiritual space for locals, and Dinh Ca (The Great Communal House), which serves as the hub for community activities and traditional festivals on the 8th and 9th of the first lunar month.

Tien Phi Cave – a National Relic Site – stands out with its magical stalactite system, serving as a key spiritual and exploration destination in Tan Hoa Ward.

Beyond its cultural depth, Tan Hoa possesses abundant natural resources. The terrain features rolling hills and a diverse ecosystem with a fresh climate, favorable for eco-tourism and experiential travel. Notably, Bich Tru Village, with its poetic landscape overlooking the Da River reservoir, holds immense potential for community-based tourism and Muong cultural experiences, ranging from traditional stilt houses and indigenous cuisine to activities like boating, fishing, and exploring lakeside life.

Complementing these natural and cultural assets are local products standardized under the OCOP program, such as Nine-Flavor Tea, salt-incubated chicken, smoked chicken, and salt-cured pork hock. These are not merely economic products but essential “ingredients” for building culinary tourism experiences, helping to extend visitor stays and increase local spending.

The coexistence of historical sites, festivals, ecological landscapes, and indigenous products provides Tan Hoa with a comprehensive resource foundation. The remaining challenge is organizing, connecting, and “storytelling” these values so they are not only preserved but also transformed into a driving force for development.

Tien Phi Cave – a national-level historical site, notable for its fantastical stalactite and stalagmite formations, is a spiritual destination and a place for nature exploration in Tan Hoa ward.

Despite these assets, tourism in Tan Hoa is still in its nascent stage. Currently, the ward lacks provincially recognized tourist sites, and services remain largely spontaneous and small-scale. Most visitors come seasonally for festivals or short day-trips with few opportunities for overnight stays or extended experiences.

However, this reality also points to vast "room for growth." With its natural landscapes, Muong cultural identity, and historical relics, the locality can shape a sustainable path that avoids mass development. Community-based tourism tied to cultural preservation, eco-experiential tours, and festival-spiritual tourism are viable models that place the community at the center while safeguarding original values.

The core issue lies in synchronous involvement. The State must lead in planning, essential infrastructure investment, and resource connectivity; the culture and tourism sectors should provide professional support in promotion and training; and the local community must be the primary participants, beneficiaries, and guardians of the heritage. Once these links are connected, the “sleeping” values of Tan Hoa will awaken, gradually transforming into specific tourism products that open a path toward sustainable socio-economic development.

Minh Vu