Hue tourism is balanced and different

This place also contains the potential and natural strengths to become a unique tourist center of Vietnam in particular, Asia and the world in general.

Tam Giang-Cau Hai lagoon area, Hue always attracts tourists. **Photo: LE HOANG**

The potential of Hue city has been evaluated in aspects such as a world cultural heritage city, a Festival city and according to planning, a key cultural and tourist center of Vietnam.

Balancing advantage and sustainability

Located in the middle of the central strip of land, the weather in Hue city is not divided into dry and rainy seasons like the southern provinces. There are also two seasons, but one is the rainy season and the other is the less rainy season. This characteristic contributes to creating the ancient, romantic, nostalgic, and melancholy atmosphere that is very unique to Hue.

Based on that characteristic, Hue city's tourism products are quite diverse, suitable for the climate, including heritage tourism (with 8 types of heritage recognized by UNESCO, especially the Complex of Hue Monuments); sea tourism (Thuan An, Canh Duong, Lang Co, Vinh Thanh); discovery tourism (Tam Giang-Cau Hai biological lagoon system, Phong Dien Nature Reserve, Bach Ma National Park, Sao La Conservation Area); eco-tourism (forest, lake, lagoon and marine ecology); agricultural farm tourism (sightseeing, exploring, experiencing agricultural activities).

Recently, resort tourism combined with medical treatment (Thanh Tan hot spring, My An and large lakes in the midland area); health care tourism; entertainment tourism; sports tourism through community sports tournaments; indigenous cultural community tourism in ethnic minority areas of A Luoi and Nam Dong districts... are also being chosen by tourists when coming to Hue city.

According to statistics compiled over the past two years, tourist groups visiting Hue usually stay for a short period of time, about 1.8 days. In order to create a unique experience and increase the time tourists stay, Long Ma Trading and Tourism Company (Drase Travel) focuses on exploiting destinations/tourist experiences with traditional features, thereby giving tourists a more comprehensive view of Hue city.

Mr. Doan Cong Quoc Tuan, Director of Drase Travel, said that the company builds its tour plans based on three factors: environment, economy and society. Bicycles and electric cars are the preferred means of transportation on trips, creating a sense of closeness, increasing the experience for tourists; especially helping to reduce negative impacts on the environment. In the past 5 years, the way local people do tourism has gradually adapted and become more professional by directly presenting and organizing logistics for tours.

“The relationship between tour operators and local people will be sustainable and long-lasting when the environment at the tourist destination is guaranteed. A vital factor is that the economic income of the people must be stable and regular. We are supporting Ms. Bui Thi Ngoc Diem, the daughter and successor of Ms. Cong Ton Nu Tri Hue, to make Hue Royal Pillows and let tourists experience them. This is a model of support for our traditional profession and artisans,” said Mr. Doan Cong Quoc Tuan.

Different to avoid boredom

In early 2024, while researching green tourism and climate change, Ms. Ngo Hoang Nguyen Anh, Director of iVietnam Travel, launched the Net Zero Tour tourism project. Ms. Ngo Hoang Nguyen Anh's team is young. Thanks to that, the perspective and method of doing tourism are all aimed at novelty and youthfulness. The project won Second Prize at the Thua Thien Hue Province Innovation and Startup Competition in 2024.

Net Zero Tour integrates environmental protection into its operations through a three-step transformation roadmap: First, accurately calculate the emissions generated by the trip. Next, reduce carbon emissions by applying sustainable tourism transformation measures. Finally, increase tree planting and support forestry projects.

iVietnam Travel aims to join hands with Hue city to promote mangrove planting, restore coastal ecosystems, and contribute to climate change adaptation. Although the average cost of Net Zero Tour is 10-15% higher than traditional tours, the value of the tour is huge, such as reducing waste emissions into the environment, building a sustainable tourism community, and changing customer mindsets.

Hue City is also famous for the Tam Giang-Cau Hai lagoon system with a total area of over 22,000 hectares, stretching over 60km, some areas are 6-8km wide. The lagoon system is associated with typical biodiversity areas and large agricultural spaces, considered unique only in the central region.

Based on that advantage, Ms. Luong Thi Hien, Ngu My Thanh village, Quang Loi commune, Quang Dien district, organized a tour to bring visitors to the village. Over the past 4 years, Ms. Hien's Tam Giang Flavor stop (a type of eco-tourism) has increasingly improved its facilities.

Ms. Hien shared that the people in Ngu My Thanh have begun to adapt to economic development from tourism. From households that used to be fishermen, they have become tour guides throughout the village, following the orientation of "each season, each food". Tourists can pick watermelons, pull peanuts, catch fish and shrimp... with the locals. At the end of the day, the boat will return with a few bags of trash that have just been collected, that is how the locals and tourists join hands to protect the environment to do green tourism.

Looking to the future of local tourism, Ms. Hien expressed: “We have high expectations for the effectiveness of the Net Zero Tour project. The palm trees and mangrove trees will grow tall when the community’s awareness of environmental protection increases. Tourism is not only for the present but also for future value, when tourists have the opportunity to return, they will be happy to see green covering all the countryside.”

Director of Hue City Department of Tourism Tran Thi Hoai Tram said: “With model tours like “Net Zero Tour” at iVietnam Travel, the effectiveness has been clearly demonstrated. However, for these models to be successful and widespread, it is necessary to build a system of criteria for evaluating Net Zero local tourism suitable for the conditions in Hue City. Along with that, there needs to be support mechanisms from the State, from preferential licensing policies to communication, encouraging businesses to create green tourism products; encouraging the connection between businesses-government-community to unify the way of doing and responsibility”.

The opportunity is huge, but to ensure the sustainable operation of Net Zero tours, it is necessary to train local people in customer service skills, homestay management, and sustainable tourism. Ecotourism planning needs to be systematically developed so that Hue tourism can truly "take off" and fly high.

According to NGUYEN VAN HAI-TRUONG AN (NDO)

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/du-lich-hue-can-bang-va-khac-biet-post329165.html