(HBO) - Hoa Binh reservoir in the northern province of Hoa Binh has a capacity of more than 9 billion m3 and rich aquatic resources. The area is considered a precious treasure of aquatic life, and it is likened to Ha Long Bay on land, attracting a large number of tourists
In 2016, the Prime Minister approved a master plan to develop the reservoir into a national tourism area until 2030. Taking advantages of the water surface and majestic natural landscape, many local households have developed fish cage farming associated with tourism development, bringing high economic efficiency.
Homestay of Nguyen Van Binh’s family in Thai Binh ward of Hoa Binh city.
Nguyen Van Binh in Thai Binh ward of Hoa Binh city has been engaged in fishing and cage farming for more than two decades on the lake. Currently, his family has seven cages for raising fish, mainly salmon, perch and carp. However, in recent years, when the market has begun to saturate and especially due to impacts of the COVID-19 epidemic in 2021 – 2022, affecting fish prices, Binh decided to turn his fish raft into a floating homestay to serve tourists. On average, his homestay welcomes some 400 visitors a month in summer, helping to generate a stable source of income.
In recent years, many households in the area have developed the model of fish cage farming in combination with eco-tourism development. Currently, nearly 20 households in Voi and Thau residential areas and some hamlets in the lake-bed area of Thung Nai (Cao Phong), Vay Nua, Tien Phong (Da Bac) communes have registered to operate this type of business.
There are now nearly 5,000 fish cages in the Hoa Binh hydropower reservoir, with an average annual output of nearly 10,000 tonnes. Fish cage farming associated with tourism development is currently the direction many households are aiming to awaken the potential and strengths of the Hoa Binh lake.
According to Nguyen Huy Nhuan, Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, in order to both sustainably develop the fishery industry and tourism in the area, the department has directed the Fisheries Sub-Department to guide fish cage households and communes continue to develop effectively breeding of aquatic species with economic values associated with ecological environment protection. In particular, households are asked to focus on specialty fish in the lake, and apply VietGAP farming process, science and technology to aquaculture production in order to increase added valuesand reduce costs.
The province has also encouraged and supported the development of aquaculture in association with tourism, educational activities, eco-tourism and sightseeing tours./.
Hoa Binh has taken measures, focusing on removing barriers in terms of mechanism, policy, infrastructure, and upgrading technical infrastructure facilities serving tourism and the quality of human resources, to promote tourism development in the Hoa Binh Lake area.
Over the past time, Da Bac has deployed measures to lure more domestic and foreign visitors to the locality, aiming to turn tourism into the district’s economic spearhead.
Covering an area of over 52,000 hectares spanning districts of Mai Chau, Tan Lac, Cao Phong, Da Bac, and Hoa Binh City, Hoa Binh lake has strong potential for tourism development. In recent years, thanks to the attention of local Party Committees and authorities as well as support from international organisations, the advantages of tourism in the lake area have been utilised.
Mai Chau is a mountainous district and home to many ethnic groups such as Thai, Muong, Kinh, Mong, Dao, and Tay with distinctive cultural identities, creating a diverse and unique cultural treasure. Aware of its advantages, the district has paid attention to the preservation and promotion of ethnic groups’ cultural values so that culture will become a leverage for tourism and contribute to socio-economic development and life quality improvement.
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