The Party Committee, People's Council, and People's Committee of Ngoc Chien commune held a meeting with Nam Nghep Cooperative to discuss tourism development orientation.

The allure of Muong La tourism drew Mr. Nguyen Cao Cuong from Hanoi to Nam Nghep village, Ngoc Chien commune, during a trip to experience the Northwest region and conquer Ta Chi Nhu mountain. Mr. Cuong shared: "Ta Chi Nhu peak, the sixth highest in Vietnam, is located in Xa Ho commune, Tram Tau district, Yen Bai province, but to climb the beautiful route, you have to go through Nam Nghep village, Ngoc Chien commune. On the way to climbing Ta Chi Nhu, I got lost in a forest of white-flowered hawthorn trees, and then 'fell in love' with Nam Nghep village."

In Nam Nghep village, Mr. Cuong met with the villagers to discuss tourism development; guided them in establishing a Hmong flute performance group; opened a coffee shop to welcome guests; created rest areas, camping sites, and provided basic services to meet the needs of tourists. At the same time, he created a Facebook page to promote and introduce information about the village, including the beauty of the hawthorn flowers... In November 2024, Mr. Cuong partnered with 8 households to establish the Nam Nghep Cooperative, operating in the fields of community tourism services; planting, processing, and exploiting agricultural, forestry, and medicinal products; transportation services; and environmental services.

Mr. Khanh A Lenh, from Nam Nghep village, was guided by Mr. Cuong on how to develop community tourism. Now, he is the leader of a group that transports and guides tourists to visit the village and climb Ta Chi Nhu mountain. Mr. Lenh shared: "The group has 30 people, mostly young people from the village. We mainly transport tourists from the commune center to visit the village and then take them to stay at homestays. This helps households earn income from tourism activities, improving their material lives and making the village greener, cleaner, and more beautiful."

According to Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Hien, a tourist from Quang Ninh province visiting Ngoc Chien for the first time, she shared: "My friends and I had the opportunity to experience bathing in the hot springs of Ban Luot, Ngoc Chien commune, and conquering Ta Chi Nhu peak. The scenery here is beautiful, and the people are friendly and hospitable, leaving a lasting impression on us. We will definitely return many more times."

The village of Nam Nghep, during the season when the hawthorn flowers bloom, attracts tourists to visit and experience it.

Ms. Mua Thi Sinh, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Muong La District, said: Implementing Resolution No. 08-NQ/TU of the District Party Committee on tourism development in the district for the period 2020-2025, tourism in Muong La District has seen positive changes. Propaganda and promotion have been strengthened and diversified in form and content; 1,000 tourist maps, 2,000 brochures, and 1,000 tourism guidebooks have been distributed. Festivals, events, and competitions introducing Muong La tourism have been organized; and coordination with the Caranival and Farmtrip delegations of the Hanoi City Tourism Association has been carried out to survey tourist destinations in Ngoc Chien commune.

In addition, the district has coordinated with the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism to direct and guide Ngoc Chien commune in developing community tourism destinations in Na Tau and Luot villages; and collaborated with a consulting unit to appraise and approve the detailed construction plan at a scale of 1/500 for four tourism projects, including: Ngoc Chien Tourism Service Center in Luot village; Ngoc Chien multi-sport complex in Dong Xuong village; Luot village eco-tourism and health care area; and Phay village creative tourism center. It has also focused on developing new, unique, and distinctive tourism products; investing in infrastructure; and training human resources to serve tourism.

To revive traditional festivals and preserve and promote the cultural identity of ethnic groups, Ta Bu commune in Muong La district organized a boat racing festival; Muong Bu commune organized a fruit-picking festival with the theme "Muong La's Big Apples"; Muong Trai commune organized the Nang Han Festival and Ngoc Chien commune organized the hawthorn flower festival... each festival attracted a large number of people and tourists to participate and experience.

Experience picking giant apples in Muong Bu commune, Muong La district.

Through trade promotion activities, Muong La district has developed and formed tourism routes connecting Muong La - Ngoc Chien with Mu Cang Chai, Van Tran, Tram Tau (Yen Bai); Muong La - Ngoc Chien with Than Uyen - Tan Uyen (Lai Chau) - Sa Pa (Lao Cai)... The district has put into operation a mountain climbing tourism route to conquer Ta Chi Nhu peak, 2,979 m above sea level, passing through the hawthorn forest of Nam Nghep village; surveyed and developed tourism to explore the old-growth forest and conquer Ta Tao peak, 2,720 m high, also in Nam Nghep village...

In the plan to develop the Son La hydroelectric reservoir area into a national tourist area, the Muong La area is one of four tourist clusters in the province that plays an important role in the tourism itinerary of Son La province in general and the Son La hydroelectric reservoir area in particular.

To create a breakthrough for tourism, in the coming time, Muong La district will strengthen tourism promotion and advertising; continue to develop tourism products such as resort tourism, eco-tourism, community tourism, health care, and weekend entertainment; and tourism products focusing on scenic spots and cultural-spiritual tourism. Along with that, it will invest in infrastructure development and human resources, gradually developing smart tourism... The goal is to welcome 700,000 tourists by 2025, generating revenue of approximately 210 billion VND and creating jobs for 500-700 unskilled workers.

Source: Son La Newspaper