Tourism services by Co Tu people

(QNO) - Cultural features are exploited to be a tourism product by Co Tu ethnic minority in Quang Nam province, helping deal with the problem of tourism sustainable development here.

Making brocade.

The Co Tu people's career of making brocade had been buried in oblivion until FIDR (Foundation for International Development/Relief) started its restoration 10 years ago. Then, a cooperative of brocade weaving was born in Zo Ra hamlet, Ta Bhing commune, Nam Giang district, Quang Nam province.

40 Co Tu women are now working in the cooperative. Their products bear the cultural values of Co Tu ethnic minority, becoming impressive and attractive souvenirs to visitors, especially to foreigners.

A tourism product in Nam Giang.

The houses here have been repaired and re-decorated. Flowers have been planted along the streets. The villages become more beautiful, suitable for tourism development. Besides, each hamlet provides visitors with an own special tourism product, such as traditional food from Pa La hamlet, Co Tu people's daily activities from Pa Rong hamlet, brocade weaving from Zo Ra hamlet, and traditional dances from Pa Xua hamlet.

Some Co Tu specialties.

Community tourism based on culture in Ta Bhing is rather different from other places. All the locals take part in tourism services but there is no comparativeness, no sign of tourism here. They still do their farming, go hunting and weave brocade. When tourists come, they make some arrangements to meet and introduce their culture to the guests.

Co Tu traditional dances.

Tourism activities in Ta Bhing are managed by Briu Thuong. He sells in-all tours of experiencing Co Tu culture to travel companies and co-ordinate all the tourism activities during the time visitors stay here. The benefits from tourism are divided evenly between the service groups. Therefore, tourism here is developing steadily. The local lives have been bettered thanks to tourism.