PLANNING A NEW ECO-TOURISM FOR BAC HA PROTECTION FOREST, LAO CAI PROVINCE

Bac Ha district is located in the northeast of Lao Cai province and is one of the recognized tourist attraction & potential tourism sites in Northern mountainous area. In the past ten years, with the advantages of cool climatic condition, natural landscape and unique culture, Bac Ha tourism has constantly developed and recognized by the public.

Bac Ha protection forest is located on the administrative boundaries of 18 communes and towns with an area of 15,662.04 ha of forest and forestry land. In Bac Ha protection forest, there are various areas with magnificent landscapes, unique forests which can be proposed as new eco-tourism destinations such as Cave of Angels (Hang Tien), the Chay River, the ancient forest, Mount of the Queen (Nữ Hoàng Peak). In addition to those valuable tourist sites, there are other existing famous tourist attractions in Bac Ha district that will offer tourist a wide variety of choice when they visit the district.

Besides the cultural values, Bac Ha protection forest also has diverse natural values that can be used as new tourist attractions such as the ancient forest where there are hundreds of giant ironwood with more than 3m in diameter and many other iconic species of flora and fauna. With the beautiful forest habitats, between cool climates and fresh air and cultural features, the unique architecture ethnic minority communities villages once would be well-exploited will greatly support a flourishing tourism of the Bac Ha district.

The Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) is collaborating with Bac Ha protection forest to analyze the current tourism status and identify potentials for planning a new ecotourism strategy in Bac Ha protection forest. The plan will aim to boost the community-based and ecotourism potentials in the protection forest. The ecotourism will promote the public awareness on biodiversity values and offering local community new livelihood, and improving the living standards of local people, especially ethnic minority communities. With its mission, CCD will continue to assist protected areas in Vietnam, especially in Bac Ha protection forest to plan and advance eco-tourism activities more sustainably and responsibly; more importantly ensuring the harmony between conservation and development and promoting a strong sense of responsibility and the human-nature connection.