Under the theme “Ba Vi Green Experience”, the Hanoi Ecotourism Festival 2023, organized by the Hanoi Department of Tourism in collaboration with the Ba Vi District People’s Committee, commenced 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, stated that the ideal natural conditions have led to the rapid growth of ecotourism in the suburban districts of Hanoi in recent years. With an imposing mountain and numerous man-made lakes with large water surfaces, Ba Vi possesses precious natural resources suitable for creating large-scale ecotourism attractions to meet the increasing demand for weekend relaxation and entertainment among residents and tourists.
“Through the festival, the department hopes to capitalize on the advantages of eco-tourism in Ba Vi in particular, and the entire capital in general, to develop diverse and appealing products that cater to the needs of tourists,” she added.
“It is anticipated that Ba Vi, with its beautiful natural scenery ideal for intriguing leisure activities, will be able to retain guests for longer durations and encourage them to spend more in eco-tourism areas and spots,” she further mentioned.
| An art performance kicks off the festival. Photo: Dinh Trung |
The event will feature a food court showcasing local cuisine and the ‘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 hues.
| Visitors to Hanoi Ecotourism Festival 2023. Photo: Nguyen Anh Tung |
Great potentials
Nguyen Thanh Chuc, a tourist from Cau Giay District, excitedly attended the festival. She informed The Hanoi Times that this is a great opportunity for her whole 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 secluded limestone mountainous area is renowned 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 also harbor a wealth of historical and cultural relics from Vietnam’s past.
| Visitors at Hanoi Ecotourism Festival 2023. Photo: Jenna Duong |
Around 42% of Ba Vi’s land area is mountainous, with the Ba Vi mountain range, whose highest peak stands at 4,252 feet, harboring 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, boasting picturesque scenery. Particularly, Thuan My hot mineral springs offer an ideal setting for leisure, medical, and wellness tourism throughout the year.
The semi-mountainous district of Hanoi is also home to three ethnic groups, namely Kinh, Muong, and Dao, who coexist 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, expressed that Ba Vi is an appealing destination for many tourists due 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 shared.
| The lush green space of Amour Resort, Ba Vi National Park, Ba Vi District, Hanoi. |
“Furthermore, Ba Vi is also a favored destination among the foreign expat community in Hanoi throughout all four seasons. Apart from relishing the splendid scenery of Ba Vi’s mountains and forests, visitors can also engage in interesting tourist activities such as trekking or cycling,” he added.
The resort aims to offer visitors to the Ba Vi District an immersive experience in a friendly and rustic environment with attention to detail. At this boutique resort, people can find a wonderful gateway to a world where nature, culture, and history harmoniously blend.
The Hanoi Ecotourism Festival 2023 – Ba Vi Green Experience forms 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 create new, diverse, and captivating ecotourism destinations.
| The breathtaking 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. This way, Hanoi’s reputation as a “safe, friendly, quality, attractive” tourism destination will continue to spread, positioning it as a top city destination in the region and the world.
In 2024, Hanoi aims to receive around 26.5 million arrivals, representing 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 is projected to reach approximately VND99.77 trillion (US$4.1 billion), up by 13.8% compared to 2023. The average room occupancy rate is expected to reach 60%.
