(VOVworld)- Villages of Co Tu ethnic minority people in Ta Bhing village, Nam Giang district, Quang Nam province, have become a popular tourist destination in recent years. Traditional Guol houses, bamboo bridges, brocade weaving products and the Song Thanh Nature Reserves attract a lot of tourists. With assistance from a community-based tourism development project funded by the Foundation for International Development Relief of Japan, Co Tu ethnic minority people in Bhing village have joined the tourism business.
Tung tung da da dance of Co Tu ethnic minority people |
30 Japanese tourists have arrived at Giang wharf and are being welcomed by 10 local tour guides, who are young Co Tu locals. Bhriu Thuong, the Chief Coordinator of the community-based tourism group, says the Ho Chi Minh trail will be the first stop of the tourists.
The Ho Chi Minh trail has been recreated with camps, clinics, liaison stations and stopovers for soldiers. Replicas of hammocks, tents, and A-shaped tunnels fascinate the Japanese tourists. Japanese painter Tasuma Kanna is sketching Vietnamese military trucks which are riddled with bullet holes. Matsu Moto Gienme was among the Japanese supporters of the Vietnamese people’s struggle for national liberation. Visiting a scene that recreates a forest devastated by Agent Orange, Matsu shared his impression: “It was an unjust war. I can feel the pain suffered by Vietnamese people. Visiting this place, I really admire the staunch spirit of the Vietnamese people. Seeing the vestiges left over from the war, I better understand them and their love of peace”.
After visiting the Ho Chi Minh trail, the tourists participate in a local Tung Tung Da Da dance, try on traditional Co Tu costumes and take photos with the locals. They also visit Grang waterfall, inspect local brocade weaving, and taste the local food specialties.
Guol house of the Co Tu |
All of these activities take place in front of the Goul- the community house of the Co Tu. Ms Yasaka Otsuky is interested in grilling meat, brocade weaving and bead stringing. Wearing the festival dress of the Co Tu women, she is excited about the tung tung da da dance: “Food here comes from the forest like grilled wild boar meat and vegetables and fruits. The costumes of the Co Tu people are wonderful. They are made of brocade and are unique. They are meticulously and beautifully decorated with small beads. Local dancing is charming showing the gracefulness of the local girls and bravery of the local boys.
The Co Tu community-based tourism project mobilizes the participation of local people in tourist activities. They are tour coordinators and service providers and are divided into dance, culinary, and weaving groups. They participate in cleaning up the environment, ensuring the security and safety of visitors, drafting tourism regulations, and guiding tours. Each group has its own plan and is managed by the Coordination Committee.