Tourists take photos at the solitary tree area in Thao Nguyen village, Ta Xua commune.

Due to concerns about storms and heavy rain in the highlands, the number of visitors to Ta Xua tends to decrease during the summer. In reality, Ta Xua in summer possesses a unique charm not found in other seasons. During this time, Ta Xua is lush green with pristine forests, and along the roads leading to the communes, the terraced rice fields, when flooded, resemble giant mirrors reflecting the clouds and sky, giving visitors a sense of the majestic highlands along with a feeling of peace, tranquility, and relaxation.

Returning to Ta Xua this time, we had the opportunity to participate in a Famtrip program to promote the destination and launch the World Travel Awards 2026 campaign, organized by the People's Committee of the commune. This is a meaningful activity aimed at promoting the image, potential, and advantages of Ta Xua's tourism development, attracting investment, and promoting sustainable tourism development.

Mr. Nguyen Van Thanh, Director of Ngoc Dong Ecotourism Company (Phu Tho), a member of the Famtrip delegation, said: "During this trip, we experienced many attractive destinations such as the lonely tree with its hill of blooming cosmos flowers, which was incredibly beautiful and romantic; we admired the rolling green mountains and the Suoi Sap 1 hydroelectric dam; and the Xim Vang sticky rice station… We consider this a fascinating destination with great potential to attract tourists. After the survey, our company will develop new tour routes with more diverse activities, closely connected with local cultural and tourism events to enhance the visitor experience."

In recent years, Ta Xua has become known for its famous landmarks, such as the Dinosaur's Backbone, Dolphin's Head, Wind Peak, Khe Cai, and the Grassland... In the summer, these destinations are incredibly attractive with their cool, green mountain scenery, winding forest roads shaded by trees, babbling streams, lush green terraced rice fields, and Hmong villages nestled at the foot of the mountains.

Tourists visit and experience Ta Xua commune.

Amidst the majestic landscape, summer in Ta Xua offers visitors many exciting experiences and trekking activities, such as conquering U Bo peak, one of the three peaks in the "Devil's Triangle" (as locals call it), located in the Ta Xua Special Forest, at an altitude of nearly 3,000 meters above sea level. Here, ancient, moss-covered trees blend seamlessly with the majestic nature, providing visitors with an unforgettable experience. Local people say that on clear summer nights, from around 10 PM to 4 AM the next morning, if lucky, visitors can observe and capture the magnificent moment of the Milky Way sparkling in the night sky of the Ta Xua highlands.

To meet the growing demands of tourists and gradually develop tourism into a key economic sector, the Party Committee and local government of Ta Xua commune have actively promoted and guided businesses to focus on investing in and upgrading infrastructure. Currently, there are 171 tourism service businesses in the commune, including 88 accommodation establishments, ensuring service for approximately 1,500 visitors per day/night.

Mr. Do Van Xiem, Chairman of the People's Committee of Ta Xua commune, informed: Summer tourism in Ta Xua always maintains its unique appeal. However, this is also the rainy season, posing potential risks that directly affect the activities of tourists and service businesses. To ensure the safety of tourists' experiences, the commune's Party committee and government have directed specialized agencies to regularly inspect roads and place warning signs in dangerous areas. At the same time, they encourage accommodation establishments to continue investing in infrastructure and developing tourism products that incorporate traditional cultural elements into the tourist experience; proactively update weather information, and flexibly support rescheduling tours for visitors to safer times.

Escaping the heat and hustle of the city, Ms. Tran Huyen Trang, a tourist from Hanoi, chose Ta Xua as her destination to enjoy the fresh, cool air that nature offers. Ms. Trang shared: "Coming to Ta Xua this time, I easily found a suitable room at a very reasonable price. I especially enjoyed the cultural experiences here such as embroidery, beeswax painting on fabric by the Mong people, watching cultural performances, pounding sticky rice cakes, throwing pa pao (a traditional game), and picking ancient Shan Tuyet tea leaves. Because the number of tourists wasn't too large, I could comfortably check in at various destinations and enjoy the relaxing and peaceful feeling of being in a highland tourist spot."

From the practical experiences of the Famtrip group to the satisfaction of tourists this summer, a clear shift in management thinking and tourism practices is evident in Ta Xua. The proactive and flexible involvement of local authorities, the cooperation of businesses, and the adaptability of tourists have created fundamental solutions to eliminate the "seasonal" nature of the destination, maximizing the natural advantages and depth of traditional culture to attract and retain tourists, affirming its position as a safe, friendly, and culturally rich destination.

Text and photos: Lo Thai