Bac Ha in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai is known as an attractive destination because of its fresh air, landscapes and cultural life rich in national identity. Annually, Bac Ha draws more than 50,000 tourists.

Bac Ha district, to the northeast of Lao Cai province, consists of over 50,000 residents belonging to 14 ethnic minority groups, each of whom has its own unique cultural identity.

Bac Ha has advantages to develop cultural and ecological tourism, bearing various cultural characteristics of the mountainous area. The district has many beautiful caves, each of which is linked with a legend.

Bac Ha locates Hoang A Tuong residence building built in 1921 and Vu Van Mat Temple recognised as a national cultural and historical site by the Ministry of Culture and Information in 2003.

Many typical folk festivals are organised annually by ethnic people in Ba Ha, including say san festival of the Mong ethnic people, new rice festival of the Dao people, forest worshipping festival of the Tay and Nung peoples and “Going to the rice field” festival of the Tay people.

Rich natural resources and culture are favourable conditions for Bac Ha to organise various kinds of tours such as ecology, food, convalescence, trekking, boating on rivers and festival.

Several tours have been formed and developed, including Bac Ha town – Nam Thang to Nam Khanh, Bac Ha town – Bao Nhai to Coc Ly, Lau Thi Ngai – Lung Phinh to Can Cau, and Bac Ha town – Ta Van Chu. Particularly, Bac Ha kermis includes a great deal of tourism products such as brocade costumes.

Key strategic construction sites for tourism development have been built or improved. Bac Ngam – Bac Ha road has been widened. Hoang A Tuong residence building has been restored. Bac Ha cultural market has been upgraded. Co Ly, Ban Lien and Nam Luc new markets have been built.

With the advantages, Ba Ha is expected to attract 150,000 tourists a year by 2010, earning about VND 50 billion annually.

(Source: Nhan Dan)