Come to the coastal city of Quy Nhon to feel the soul of the martial arts land

Countryside space in the coastal city

Located on a small street of the coastal city of Quy Nhon, Song Suoi homestay (No. 18 Hai Thuong Lan Ong) is an interesting stop for tourists. Not only is it a place to stay, when coming here, tourists are also designed by Mr. Huynh Vu Tri (homestay owner) with tours to experience the land of "martial arts, literary heaven".

Mr. Tri shared: “I want tourists not only to rest, but also to truly feel the cultural life of the local people. Coming to Song Suoi homestay will be an interesting journey of experience.”

Mr. Huynh Vu Tri and staff prepare the space to welcome guests. **Photo: Ngoc Nhuan**

Recently, Mr. Tri has collaborated with a number of artisans to bring activities introducing the cultural heritage of his homeland closer to tourists. Thanks to that, his homestay has become a rustic cultural meeting place, connecting and preserving the soul of the martial arts homeland.

Mr. Huynh Vu Tri (standing) introduces cultural experiences for tourists. **Photo: Ngoc Nhuan**

During their stay at Song Suoi homestay, visitors were also taken by Mr. Tri to the house of artisan Huynh Thi The (95 years old) and her daughter Nguyen Thi Sau (No. 22 Dang Van Ngu, Quy Nhon ward) to see with their own eyes the process of making conical hats.

Artisan Huynh Thi The and her daughter demonstrate the craft of making conical hats. **Photo: Ngoc Nhuan**

Despite his “rare” age, Mr. The’s eyes are still sharp when threading a needle without glasses. The thin palm leaves are skillfully placed on the bamboo rim, his hands quickly sew each needle and thread, introducing tourists to the Go Gang conical hat.

Specifically, he shared: “Making conical hats is a traditional craft of my hometown Go Gang (now An Nhon Bac ward - PV). The traditional craft of making conical hats is passed down to today's descendants to preserve. Being able to guide tourists to experience how to stretch leaves and weave conical hats, I feel very happy! Thanks to that, the old craft is not forgotten.”

Tourists excitedly experience making conical hats. **Photo: Ngoc Nhuan**

The second time coming to the coastal city of Quy Nhon, Ms. Le Thu Van (from Da Nang, Vietnamese American) loves the land and people here even more. Ms. Van confided: "This time coming to Quy Nhon, I got to enjoy many delicious dishes , and tried making conical hats myself, only to see how elaborate it is. Not only that, I watched martial arts performances and enjoyed the folk card festival in a close, simple space."

The experience of stretching leaves to make conical hats brings interesting emotions to visitors. **Photo: Ngoc Nhuan**

Experience culture, preserve the soul of the countryside

Not only learning about the craft of making conical hats, visitors also join in the joyful atmosphere of the folk bai choi festival. In the sound of wooden fish, the bustling rhythm of the clappers combined with the artists' calls, the whole yard resounds with the visitors' laughter.

Tourists join in the fun at the folk card playing festival. **Photo: Ngoc Nhuan**

Bai Choi artist Nguyen Thi Muoi (Tuy Phuoc Bac commune) happily said: “Bai Choi is an indispensable spiritual food for the people of the martial arts land during holidays and Tet. Now, the art of Bai Choi is being brought to serve tourists, which is a great way to promote heritage.”

Not only introducing the hat-making profession with her mother, artisan Nguyen Thi Sau also surprised tourists when she performed traditional Binh Dinh martial arts, with powerful punches, beautiful sword and saber dances and received thunderous applause from tourists.

Artist Nguyen Thi Sau performs traditional martial arts of Binh Dinh for tourists. **Photo: Ngoc Nhuan**

Artisan Nguyen Thi Sau said: “I am very happy to promote the cultural beauty of my homeland “Whoever comes to Binh Dinh will see/Binh Dinh girls put down the whip and practice boxing” . The land of Vo not only attracts tourists by its generosity, but also by its famous intangible cultural heritage values”.

Although she is not fluent in Vietnamese, Ms. Huynh Thien Thanh (German of Vietnamese origin) was moved to say: “My mother is from Quy Nhon. I have never been to Quy Nhon before so I do not know much. This is the first time I have visited my hometown and experienced many interesting activities like this. I am very impressed and somewhat proud to tell my friends in Germany that my hometown has many beautiful cultural features like this.”

If traditional martial arts bring a sense of pride, then hát bội brings tourists back to the soul of traditional art. In a rustic space, artist Trần Ngọc Vân decorates the hát bội masks he made to promote and introduce a traditional form typical of the land of martial arts. “By promoting hát bội to tourists to listen and understand more about the heritage of hát bội in my homeland, I feel like I am contributing to preserving the soul of the traditional art of my homeland,” Vân shared.

Experiential space to learn about Binh Dinh opera masks. **Photo: Ngoc Nhuan**

At the end of the experience, before visitors return to Song Suoi homestay, everyday stories are mixed with cheerful laughter, a firm handshake with the artisans and a promise to return to Quy Nhon when there is a chance. All of them leave deep impressions in the simple but emotional experience.

Mr. Huynh Vu Tri added: “I am designing more tours to bring tourists to experience Lang Song Minor Seminary, Binh Lam Tower, rice paper making village, Con Chim. My wish is that Song Suoi homestay not only contributes to spreading the image of Quy Nhon - Gia Lai tourism further, but also is a meeting place for tourists to live fully in the soul of the martial arts homeland”.