Preserving the landscape value of Ngo Dong River

Ngo Dong River is a small river flowing through the cave system in Tam Coc, Ninh Hai Commune (Hoa Lu), with its own beauty, becoming an attractive destination for tourists. Currently, the protection of the ecological and landscape values of Ngo Dong River has been and is being paid attention to by all levels and sectors in order to contribute to increasing the value of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex.

Along both banks of the Ngo Dong River are green rice fields stretching out like silk ribbons. Not only that, the Ngo Dong River is also a favorite destination for many migratory birds to take refuge. The image of the gentle river winding through the mountains, rich vegetation, and flocks of birds diligently searching for food in the majestic mountain space, has given visitors the feeling of stepping into fairy tales with pristine natural beauty.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong Hoa, a tourist from Hanoi, said: This is the first time I have come to Tam Coc. I was surprised by the wild beauty, with majestic mountain scenery, the river passing through the cave system, which gave me a wonderful feeling. You have preserved the landscape and environment very well, developed tourism but still always respected natural conditions. The scenery is so beautiful and poetic, I will definitely come back. Over the years, the management and tourism exploitation unit of Tam Coc-Bich Dong tourist area has always focused on protecting the ecological landscape and environment of Ngo Dong river.

From 2018 to now, on Ngo Dong river, Tam Coc rice field has been built as a highlight in Ninh Binh Tourism Week, to promote and introduce unique and attractive features, affirming the brand and position of Ninh Binh tourism as a safe, friendly, quality and attractive destination for domestic and international tourists.

Mr. Dang Ngoc Thien, tour guide of Tam Coc-Bich Dong tourist area said: I have been working here for more than a year now, I find this place very beautiful, peaceful, creating excitement for workers as well as tourists coming to Tam Coc-Bich Dong. Therefore, I actively promote the unique values of Ngo Dong River at Tam Coc-Bich Dong tourist area so that tourists can have an interesting experience.

Ms. Pham Thi Que, head of the environmental sanitation team at Tam Coc-Bich Dong Tourist Area, said: Our team has 7 people, who are responsible for collecting trash and algae every day in the Tam Coc wharf area and on the Ngo Dong River, preserving the river's ecosystem to protect the landscape and create beauty for tourists when they come to visit Tam Coc-Bich Dong.

According to research, Ngo Dong River was formed completely naturally due to the geological formation process of Trang An Heritage Area. Therefore, the issue of harmonizing the interests between tourism development and conservation of the landscape, environment and natural conditions in the heritage area is very important. Conservation of the landscape and natural conditions of Ngo Dong River associated with tourism development will further increase the value of Trang An World Cultural and Natural Heritage.

Comrade Nguyen Cao Tan, Deputy Director of the Department of Tourism, said: Ngo Dong River, along with Sao Khe River and Den Voi River, are three rivers flowing within the World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site of Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex. When flowing within the heritage, on such a limestone foundation, in addition to the river currently visible, millions of years ago there were also rivers flowing at an altitude of 60-100m above the current river level. These are caves through the mountains that we can see on those rivers such as Trong Cave and To Vo Cave. Gradually, the river deepened, now flowing through three caves (Ca Cave, Hai Cave, Ba Cave), along with rice fields on both sides of the river showing very ancient agricultural cultivation, becoming a beautiful and interesting landscape. Moreover, there are many historical imprints of mankind, such as caves with traces of prehistoric people to the imprints of the period of Chinese domination, the Dinh Dynasty, especially the imprints of Tran Dynasty culture. Recently, through research and archaeological excavations, we have discovered very typical architectural foundations of the Tran Dynasty, which reflect real legends and histories, from the establishment of gardens and ponds, to the old dynasty, to Thai Vi Temple - the cultural imprints of the Tran Dynasty associated with the Vu Lam Palace, associated with the formation of the Truc Lam Zen sect.

All those cultural values, combined with the landscape and rice-growing culture of the community in the S-shaped fields on the Ngo Dong River, have become the brand and unique identity of Tam Coc tourism. Ninh Binh Tourism Industry is building a project to restore relics related to Vu Lam Palace, related to the Buddhist Emperor Tran Nhan Tong's renunciation, the original architectural works restored on the excavated architectural foundation, along with lighting projection technology, interpreting the value of that heritage will become tourist destinations. At the same time, the protection of the Ngo Dong River landscape in the coming time needs to continue to be promoted by restoring and planning to relocate households living scattered in this area; improving the environmental landscape to ensure the natural ecosystem; creating agricultural products, agricultural products with unique characteristics and values to attract tourists to Tam Coc to develop sustainable tourism...

Tien Minh

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