Hoanh Mo maximizes advantages for sustainable development

The new Hoanh Mo commune, based on the merger of the former Hoanh Mo and Dong Van communes, has an area of 137.91 km² and a population of nearly 9,000 people, of which more than 94% are ethnic minorities. In the commune, 13/22 villages and hamlets located along the Vietnam - China border, which is more than 30 km long, have been planned to become the economic urban center of the province. From that foundation, Hoanh Mo is facing great opportunities to break through and develop comprehensively in many fields associated with preserving national cultural identity, forming sustainable growth models with their own mark.

Members of the Then singing and Tinh lute club perform at an ancient house in Hoanh Mo commune. Photo: Duy Khoa

Not only focusing on developing border trade, Hoanh Mo commune also promotes its strengths in beautiful natural landscapes, border systems, sacred and majestic landmarks and unique cultural identities to develop tourism with typical products. Accordingly, the commune focuses on developing experiential tourism, community tourism associated with ethnic minority villages, traditional festivals, culinary culture and pristine natural landscapes imbued with the identity of the border region.

Specifically, the central area of the commune is planned to develop commercial services associated with the Hoanh Mo border gate economic zone. The East is promoting the development of eco -tourism exploiting natural landscapes with activities such as visiting and experiencing Cao Son flower garden, Khe Van waterfall, Song Mooc waterfall, Cao Ba Lanh mountain, Cao Ly mountain, trekking through the forest... The West develops border tourism, visiting and experiencing "reed paradise", "dinosaur spine", the border system, and sacred landmarks of the Fatherland.

In the past 5 years, the locality has organized 11 sports tournaments and 10 art performances; sent 21 delegations to participate in competitions and performances. 16 new art clubs, 3 sports clubs, 14/22 villages have art clubs, contributing to improving the spiritual and cultural life, promoting the traditional cultural values of the ethnic community; superstitious activities and backward customs are gradually eliminated. The movement "All people unite to build a cultural life" has had positive changes, the rate of cultural households reached 94.97%/year (reaching 118.7% of the resolution's target); 100% of villages and hamlets achieved culture. The number of tourists to the area is estimated at 28,000, revenue is estimated at 16.5 billion VND. Currently, the commune has 13 motels and 5 homestays, with 32 restaurant businesses.

In order to effectively exploit the cultural heritage of ethnic communities for tourism development, the commune has received and implemented the project "Preserving and promoting the cultural values of the Dao people associated with developing community tourism in Song Mooc village in the period of 2022-2025, with a vision to 2030". Maintaining and organizing the "Wind Abstinence" festival - one of the unique cultural and spiritual activities of the Thanh Phan Dao ethnic group in the commune that has been preserved for many generations.

According to the elders, on the "Wind-avoiding day", the Dao people quietly leave their homes early, so that when the Wind God enters the house, he will take away the risks and sorrows of the old year and bring good things, warmth and prosperity. The Dao people believe that on April 4 (lunar calendar), no matter what they do, it will not be favorable. They temporarily put aside all work, let the buffaloes go to the forest, and the whole village invites each other to "mì seng phai hay dao" (go to the market on April 4). Notably, in 2025, "The Wind-avoiding custom of the Dao people" was included in the List of National Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Dance with bells, at the Wind Abstinence Festival 2025. Photo: Cong Thanh (CTV) — Dance with bells at the "Wind Abstinence" Festival in 2025. Photo: Cong Thanh (CTV)

Hoanh Mo is continuing to effectively implement Resolution No. 17-NQ/TU dated October 30, 2023 of the Provincial Party Committee on building and promoting cultural values and human strength of Quang Ninh to become endogenous resources and driving forces for rapid and sustainable development. Promote the movement "All people unite to build a cultural life". Strengthen the application of science and technology, innovation and digital transformation to preserve and promote cultural values, develop eco-tourism, associated with natural landscapes in mountainous and border areas.

Promote the digitalization of traditional cultural values, festivals, and unique customs and practices, such as: "Kieng gio" festival, then singing, pa dung singing, traditional house architecture of ethnic groups in the area... associated with the construction of a digital data system, images, videos, and documents to serve the work of preserving and promoting cultural values. Focus on applying digital technology to promote the potential of eco-tourism and the typical natural landscapes of the locality.

Continue to pay attention to investing, developing and effectively managing cultural, artistic and sports institutions. Research and build 1-2 cultural villages typical of ethnic communities in the area to serve the work of preserving and promoting cultural values associated with tourism development, creating sustainable livelihoods. Develop and implement the project to Preserve and promote the cultural values of ethnic groups in Hoanh Mo commune associated with building unique tourism products in the period 2025-2030.

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Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/hoanh-mo-khai-thac-toi-da-cac-loi-the-cho-su-phat-trien-ben-vung-3373538.html