With the theme "Ba Vi Green Experience", the Hanoi Ecotourism Festival 2023, organized by the Hanoi Department of Tourism in cooperation with the Ba Vi District People's Committee, kicked off today [December 9] and will run until tomorrow [Dec 10] at the Ao Vua (King Pond) Ecotourism Area, Ba Vi District, Hanoi.
Towards green tourism
| The opening ceremony of the Hanoi Ecotourism Festival 2023, themed "Ba Vi Green Experience". Photo: Dinh Trung |
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Dang Huong Giang, director of the city's tourism department, said that the ideal natural conditions have led to the rapid development of ecotourism in the suburban districts of Hanoi in recent years.
With an imposing mountain and many man-made lakes with large water surfaces, Ba Vi has precious natural resources suitable for creating large-scale ecotourism attractions to meet the growing demand for weekend relaxation and entertainment among residents and tourists.
"Through the festival, the department hopes to leverage the advantages of eco-tourism in Ba Vi in particular, and the entire capital in general, to develop diverse and attractive products that meet the needs of tourists," she said.
"It is hoped that Ba Vi, with its beautiful natural scenery suitable for interesting leisure activities, will be able to retain guests longer and encourage them to spend more in eco-tourism areas and spots," she added.
| An art performance kicks off the festival. Photo: Dinh Trung |
There will be a food court for local cuisine and 'Hanoian beer culture, along with entertainment activities and ethnic cultural performances such as Muong folk song singing, Muong gong playing and dancing, Muong flute playing, campfire and various folk games imbued with cultural colors.
Great potentials
The event takes visitors on an experiential journey of discovering Hanoi's outstanding ecotourism products through an art program, which introduces local destinations with unique and diverse traditional cultural features, highlighting Hanoi's great ecotourism potential.
Nguyen Thanh Chuc, a tourist from Cau Giay District, attended the festival excitedly. She told The Hanoi Times that this is a great opportunity for her family to go out together.
Ba Vi District is a true gem of Vietnam's natural beauty. Covering an area of 424 square kilometers, this isolated limestone mountainous area is known for its diverse ecosystems, cool fresh mountain air, and mystical, atmospheric backdrop of clouds, jungle and tropical rainforest. But that's not all - the Ba Vi mountains are also home to a wealth of historical and cultural relics from Vietnam.
| Visitors to Hanoi Ecotourism Festival 2023. Photo: Nguyen Anh Tung |
Approximately 42% of Ba Vi's land area is mountainous, with the Ba Vi mountain range, whose highest peak is 4,252 feet, home to a diverse and abundant array of rare and exotic plants and animals.
Surrounding the mountain are hundreds of streams and lakes, such as Ao Vua Waterfall and Stream, Khoang Xanh Waterfall, Mo Waterfall, Tien Stream and Suoi Hai Lake, with beautiful scenery. In particular, Thuan My hot mineral springs are ideal for leisure, medical and wellness tourism throughout the year.
| Visitors at Hanoi Ecotourism Festival 2023. Photo: Jenna Duong |
The semi-mountainous district of Hanoi is also home to three ethnic groups, including Kinh, Muong and Dao, who live together and create a diverse and unique cultural identity.
Speaking to The Hanoi Times, Gilberto Mayen, general manager of Amour Resort, Ba Vi National Park, Ba Vi District, said Ba Vi is an attractive destination for many tourists thanks to its proximity to downtown Hanoi and scenic landscapes.
"Our local clients from downtown usually choose Ba Vi to organize their team building and educational picnics or to have a wellness vacation," he said.
| The lush green space of Amour Resort, Ba Vi National Park, Ba Vi District, Hanoi. |
"In addition, Ba Vi is also a favorite destination for the foreign expat community in Hanoi during all four seasons. Apart from enjoying the beautiful scenery of Ba Vi's mountains and forests, visitors can also experience some interesting tourist activities such as trekking or cycling."
The resort aims to offer visitors to the Ba Vi District an emotional journey with a friendly and rustic environment and attention to detail. At this boutique resort, people could find a wonderful gateway to a world where nature, culture and history blend harmoniously.
The Hanoi Ecotourism Festival 2023 - Ba Vi Green Experience is part of a series of thematic activities of Hanoi Ecotourism Products 2023, which aims to promote the development of ecotourism products in the capital city and develop new, diverse and fascinating ecotourism destinations.
| The striking space of Ao Vua Ecotourism Area. Photo: Trung Nguyen |
Hanoi's tourism sector will attract investment resources to develop ecotourism in Hanoi, contributing to preserving and promoting Hanoi's natural landscape and cultural-historical values. In this way, Hanoi's tourism reputation as a "safe, friendly, quality, attractive" destination will continue to spread, making it a top city destination in the region and the world.
In 2024, Hanoi aims to receive about 26.5 million arrivals, an increase of 10.4% compared to this year's estimate (5 million international and 21.5 million domestic visits).
The total revenue from tourism will reach about VND99.77 trillion (US$4.1 billion), an increase of 13.8% compared to 2023. The average room occupancy rate will hit 60%.
The program showcases eight ecotourism destinations that have been recognized by the Hanoi People's Committee, including: - Hong Van Ornamental Plant Craft Village tourist spot (Thuong Tin District) - Ao Vua tourist area (Ba Vi District) -Tan Da mineral spring tourist area (Ba Vi District) - Thien Son-Suoi Nga tourist area (Ba Vi District) - Khoang Xanh-Suoi Tien tourist area (Ba Vi District) - Dan Phuong Ecological Area tourist spot (Dan Phuong District) - Hoang Long ecotourism spot (Thach That District) - Long Ho Village tourist spot (Son Tay Town) |
