Hoang Nhat’s wooden house in Hung Trach commune attracts lots of tourists. Nhat used to live on the income from wood  cutting in the forest. Since Phong Nha cave became a famous tourist attraction, Nhat began to work as a photographer and invested in developing homestay service. Nhat said: “Many tourists prefer to stay with the locals to experience daily life and culture here. They are particularly interested in joining with the local in the farming work”.

Tourists enjoy riding in the countryside

Quang Binh province has great advantages to develop tourism. Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, twice recognized as a World Natural Heritage site by UNESCO in 2003 and 2015, is a paradise for cave explorers. The province also has many tourist attractions such as Non pagoda, Than Dinh mountain and Vung Chua-Yen island, together with Bau Sen and Bau Tro lakes.

Ms. Le Thi Bich, Director of Le Mittchel, a vanguard company specializing in community-based tourism in Cu Nam commune, Bo Trach district, says each day, her company welcomes hundreds of foreign visitors. Bich also instructs the locals on how to open homestay services and operate online tourism services. Bich said traditional festivals and the unique customs of ethnic minority groups should be the focus in developing community-based tourism: “We promote the community-based tourism model to offer tourists with unique tourism services and promote local tourism to foreign friends. Local people in Phong Nha still maintain their simple farming life. The natural scenery is still intact. We aim to build a sustainable and environment-friendly tourism”.

Local cuisine is great tourist attraction in Quang Binh.

The community-based tourism model has now expanded throughout Quang Binh province. Mr. Nguyen Huu Hong, Vice Chairman of Bo Trach district’s People’s Committee said traditional crafts such as pancakes, corn wine production and net weaving attract tourists for their unique expression of local culture. Mr. Hong said: “Since the province’s tourism development policy was implemented, many locals have shifted to developing tourism services to earn a higher and more stable income. Our district has encouraged people to lead a cultural lifestyle. In addition, we pay great attention to keeping the environment clean”.

Young visitors are interested in the farming work.

Mr. Dang Dong Ha, Deputy Head of Quang Binh province’s Department of Tourism said the local authorities support each household involved in Homestay or Farmstay business with around 1,300 USD. During peak months, each household earns more than 1,300 USD per month. Mr. Ha said Quang Binh province aims to develop tourism into its spearhead economic sector. “We focus on promoting the image of the province and hospitality of local people to foreign tourists. Each resident is a hospitable tourist guide. We also promote the local historical and cultural values areas well as its  traditional craft villages to lure more tourists to the province”, said Mr. Ha.