Every holiday, Mr. Ban Van Toi's homestay in Lam Binh commune (Tuyen Quang province) is always packed with customers booking rooms. This group had just left, the other group had arrived.
Mr. Toi shared: "I have been practicing community tourism for more than 4 years, going to see the methods of some places and then applying them, but they are not as effective as expected.
Then I realized that instead of taking shape to go to other places, I immediately took advantage of the local advantage of the forest, the wild natural scenic area for tourism."
According to Mr. Toi, Lam Binh's biggest advantage is the primeval forest ecosystem and pristine natural landscapes. This has attracted domestic and foreign tourists to come and experience.
"Our people say that we must keep forests, keep ecological environments close to nature to make that a strength. Visitors here love to experience the primeval forest, watching the ancient trees that are hundreds of years old.
Thanks to eco-tourism, my family earns more than 10 million VND per month from accommodation and food services, and has money to buy equipment and repair the house," said Mr. Toi.
In 2024, the 1,000-year-old banyan tree in Na Khau village, Lam Binh commune was recognized by the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment as a Vietnam heritage tree. After being recognized, all people here always raise their sense of responsibility in caring for and protecting, while increasing propaganda and promotion on digital platforms.
Since then, many tourists have come to Lam Binh to directly see the thousand-year-old banyan tree. This is also considered a highlight to attract tourists to visit and experience. People also form a responsible mindset of protecting the ash tree in particular and the environmental landscape in the area in general, bringing positive values to the economy, community and society.
Lam Binh is an area with rich forest resources, with rareononas and plants, the coverage of the leading forest in Tuyen Quang province is up to more than 78%. Combined with deep green mountains and forests are waterfalls with many large, primitive waterfall layers and cave complexes, suitable for the exploitation and development of diverse eco-tourism products.
To promote the development of this type of tourism, along with strengthening the management, protection and development of existing forest resources, Lam Binh commune has effectively exploited the strengths of the forest such as Vietnam heritage industry, the ecological - historical experience tour - exploring the H52 Arsenal Relic - Khuoi pin Cave.
In Lam Binh, a cluster of 25 hundred-year-old orchid trees is currently being preserved and is being proposed for Vietnam heritage tree workers. This island complex is located next to the road to the residential area, so it is very convenient for visitors to visit and experience eco-tourism.
Mr. Nguyen Hoang Anh (Bac Ninh province) was surprised when he arrived at the primeval forest in Tuyen Quang and saw with his own eyes the thousand-year-old banyan tree. For Mr. Hoang Anh, this is a memorable experience that not every place has.
"The thousand-year-old banyan tree looks extremely beautiful, it is truly a gift of creativity, perhaps in Vietnam, there are very few places that still preserve ancient banyan trees and primeval forests like in Tuyen Quang.
I think this is a rare advantage, the people here need to preserve these green forests, this wild, fresh natural space. In the coming time, this will probably be the destination of many tourists", Mr. Hoang Anh shared.
The forests in Lam Binh have been preserved and cared for for many generations. For the people of this highland, as long as there is a forest, there is still a village, and a livelihood because the primeval forests contain special "treasures", creating a great source of profit from the "indestructible industry". Ecotourism from forests has brought great benefits to people.
Mr. To Viet Hiep - Secretary of Lam Binh commune said that in recent years, primeval forests have been strictly protected. The locality established many survey teams, selecting a number of villages and hamlets to build tourism service locations.
"Many areas are suitable for construction into observation spots, check-ins, camping, picnicking, resorts, adventure tourism, mountain climbing, exploring primeval forests, caves, and waterfalls.
The ward pays special attention to organizing promotional activities, inviting experts to consult on tourism development in a systematic and sustainable manner, effectively exploiting the advantages of Na Hang - Lam Binh special national forest and scenic spot", Mr. Hiep informed.
Over the years, local authorities in Tuyen Quang and people have accompanied the exploitation of the potential of their forests to develop eco-tourism. This also formed tours and experiences of primeval forests such as visiting the Tang Ke Ban Bung nature reserve, experiencing the Tan Trao special forest, and the Cham Chu Nature Reserve.
Local people, rangers, and forest rangers are tour guides to help visitors explore and experience, helping visitors better understand the history, role of primeval forests as well as forest protection.
Mr. Ma Thanh Khiet - Na Hang Forest Protection Department said that every year, forest rangers and forest rangers often take 30 groups of visitors to the primeval forest.
"Tourists who prefer adventure and discovery will be guided by special tour guides to ensure safety and go to the right place. Such programs have brought impressive experiences to tourists and also helped people better understand forest protection," said Mr. Khiet.
In Tan Trao special-use forest, there are nearly 4,000 hectares, including over 3,100 hectares of natural forest. There are goji, ash, and green lim trees that reach tens of meters high. Under the forest canopy is a huge treasure trove of herbs such as longan, nature suited, and areca ginseng.
Mr. Ma Van Tien, owner of Tien Phuong homestay in Tan Lap village, Tan Trao commune, said that people are aware that forests help them improve the quality of homestays from ecology, environment, landscape and cuisine.
"Over the years, eco-tourism to visit the forest has developed a lot and tourists also love this form. From the forest where we do business, we do accompanying services such as accommodation and pick-up and drop-off. Our income is also more sustainable, many households have escaped poverty," Mr. Tien shared.
Through many generations of leaders, Tuyen Quang's forest protection policy has remained consistent and consistent. Preserve forests to protect water resources, preserve forests to prevent natural disasters, preserve forests to protect crops and today, preserve forests to develop ecotourism under the forest canopy.
Tuyen Quang has a forest cover covering of 65% of the natural land area, ranking in the top 3 in the country. The whole province has 448,680 hectares of forest and forestry land, of which the natural forest area is 281,700 hectares. Tuyen Quang province currently retains 2/3 of its area as natural forests with high biodiversity, many species of plants and animals are on the world red book, Vietnam needs to be strictly protected.
