Co Tu ethnic people do community tourism

(QNO) - Over 3 years of implementation of Co Tu community-based tourism project in Nam Giang district (funded by FIDR organization), the tour “Co Tu’s perfume and beauty” has brought economic effects and tended to preserve traditional culture.

Tourists exchange culture with local people.

Bnuoch Tam is a pretty Co Tu guide in Zora village (Ta Bhing Commune, Nam Giang District). In the past, she only did house work; her nature is shy and timid. Since joining in this tourism service, Bnuoch Tam has been trained to become one of the speakers of the community tourism project financed by FIDR. For the past 3 years, Bnuoch Tam and the village’s unprofessional tour guides have led hundreds of visitors to village and other tourist attractions. Bnuoch Tam is now more confident and experienced. She said, “Now, I’m more accustomed to this job than I used to. The majority of tourists coming here want to learn about Co Tu’s culture, rites, life or Zora village… This job helps me  enjoy and improve my life”.

According to Mr. Briu Thuong – the coordinator of Co Tu community tourism operating office in Nam Giang district,  the success of the project was that  12 non- professional tourist guides were trained to serve the development of local tourism. In addition, all 7 hamlets have formed groups to welcome tourists. At present, the “Co Tu’s perfume and beauty” tour has 3 main sites including historical site on Ho Chi Minh trail –  going through Giang station, Grang waterfall and the sightseeing tour in Co Tu hamlets of the commune.

It seems that Zora village of weaving traditional textile is restored by tourism. Historically from project, Co Tu textile village is restored and developed, Co Tu women were trained to improve their skills of weaving, promote the village’s products…Within 3 years until now, based on tourism, people’s life has been improved. Besides, economy – infrastructure office of Nam Giang district supported 10 industrial sewing machines to help women to create diverse brocade textile products, meet the demands and tastes of visitors and markets. The showroom was built and upgraded. Each month, textile group can produce from 100 to 300 products depending on the markets and the orders; the average income per person is from 300 to 500 thousand VND per month.

Welcome visitors.

Mr. Poloong Hon – Chairman of Ta Bhing commune People’s Committee said, Nam Giang will establish Ta Bhing cooperative of community tourism service. This is a vigorous change for Nam Giang to develop tourism after the project ends. “Over 3 years, community tourism villages have welcomed more than 500 visitor groups, over 6 people for each, mostly Japanese tourists. We can see that community tourism has initially brought significant benefits to the local people. However, it is important to preserve and promote good cultural values of the people. Developing tourism creates chances to exchange cultures between countries and especially makes mountainous people’s life in Nam Giang more civilized”, Mr Hon said.

By HOANG LIEN - HOANG YEN