Towards developing community tourism in My Lung

My Lung commune, Yen Lap district, has the potential to develop ecotourism and community tourism associated with the customs and practices of ethnic minorities, thereby contributing to the socio-economic development of the locality, improving the lives of the people.

Traditional cultural values ​​are preserved and promoted in My Lung.

Visiting My Lung in the final days of the year, as preparations for the Lunar New Year 2025 are underway, we can observe the newly constructed and improved roads and bridges, witnessing the daily transformations of this beautiful land. The commune is surrounded by three mountain ranges - Chinh, Na, and Dong - forming a valley. The Lao stream flows through the center of the commune, providing abundant aquatic resources and serving as a habitat for more than 40 species of specialty fish, including Sinh, Bi Sut, Chien, Lang, Duc Dinh, Trinh, Nhang, Ngao, and Cui. Additionally, the river feeds several picturesque streams such as Da Mai, Muu, Ben, and Da, which lead to stunning waterfalls like Quat Waterfall, the Three-Tiered Waterfall, the Hundred-Tiered Waterfall, and Dung Waterfall.

Quat Waterfall is one of the stunning waterfalls in My Lung, holding great potential for community tourism development.

The commune is traversed by National Highway 70B and borders the Ao Gioi - Suoi Tien Resort in Ha Hoa District. It is located just over 10 km from Au Co Temple and Ao Chau Dam and more than 60 km from the Hung Temple historical site. Additionally, its proximity to Yen Bai Province offers many advantages for regional tourism development. In particular, My Lung Commune features distinct terrain and climate compared to surrounding areas, forming a microclimate with higher rainfall than neighboring regions. This contributes to the exceptional quality of My Lung’s specialty, Ga Gay sticky rice, a one-of-a-kind OCOP-certified product known for its rich, fragrant, and sticky texture. In addition, the mountainous terrain can be transformed into a beautiful terraced field system for both cultivation and tourism development.

A beautiful terraced field system for both cultivation and tourism development

In early 2022, a research project titled “Restoring and Proposing Solutions to Preserve and Promote Some Typical Cultural Heritages of the Muong Ethnic Group Associated with Community Tourism Development in My Lung Commune, Yen Lap District, Phu Tho Province” was approved, paving the way for local tourism development. Building a typical tourist destination for ethnic minorities and mountainous areas in My Lung commune is one of the contents of the project “Preserving and promoting the good traditional cultural values ​​of ethnic minorities associated with tourism development” under the National Target Program on socio-economic development of ethnic minorities and mountainous areas in the period 2021-2030.

Waterwheels create beautiful pictures in tourism development.

Through surveys, research, and evaluation, the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, in collaboration with the Tourism Association, has advised and guided local authorities to invest in developing various tourism products and services. These include eco-tourism based on the area’s waterfalls and forested environment, sports tourism, and cultural tourism. Additionally, community tourism linked to the customs and traditions of the Muong and Dao ethnic groups, as well as agricultural and culinary tourism featuring Ga Gay sticky rice (an OCOP-certified product), local specialties such as mountain goat, stream fish, ant egg cake, Ga Gay sticky rice wine, and other regional agricultural products, is being promoted.

My Lung’s fermented meat and sour meat products have both received 3-star OCOP certification.

To promote tourism development, the Party Committee and residents of My Lung Commune have actively implemented initiatives to adapt to changing conditions. Each year, over 90% of households and residential areas qualify as "cultural households." By 2024, the average income is expected to surpass 43 million VND per person per year, while budget revenue is projected to exceed 12 billion VND. Additionally, the commune has established 15 folk culture and mass sports clubs to preserve and promote cultural activities.

The preservation and promotion of the Muong ethnic group’s intangible cultural heritage, combined with community tourism development in My Lung Commune, have enriched the cultural and spiritual lives of ethnic minorities, fostering a deeper connection to their roots. This initiative has also attracted tourists seeking to experience traditional cultural values, explore natural landscapes, and enjoy local cuisine, ultimately boosting tourism and improving residents' livelihoods both materially and spiritually.

Prioritize investment in key routes serving tourism.

Mr. Hoang Xuan Thuy, Vice Chairman of the Commune People’s Committee, stated: "Recognizing My Lung’s potential for tourism development, we have focused on raising awareness among all ethnic groups to foster unity in policies, goals, and actions aimed at sustainable tourism growth."

With strong government support and public consensus, community tourism is expected to boost the local economy. In the near future, My Lung aims to become a must-visit destination for tourists returning to the Ancestral Land.

Dinh Tu