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| John Patrick Lane, a visitor from Australia, exploring Ru Cha mangrove forest on the afternoon of September 2 |
A green destination
At around 1 p.m. on September 2, despite the hot and sunny weather, visitors continued to arrive at Ru Cha in Thuan Hoa Residential Quarter, Hoa Chau Ward, to explore and enjoy the area. Groups walked along narrow paths through the forest, stopping to take photos beneath the canopy of cha trees, while others rested at small refreshment stalls run by local residents before continuing their exploration of the lagoon landscape.
John Patrick Lane, a visitor from Australia, said that many people had recommended Ru Cha to him, so he decided to visit while traveling in Hue. His first impression was of the distinctive mangrove landscape. Although it was hot outside, the air became noticeably cooler as he ventured deeper along the narrow paths beneath the tree canopy.
“The scenery here is wonderful. I like the feeling of walking through such a green and peaceful forest”, Lane said.
Ru Cha attracted not only international visitors but also many Vietnamese families during the holiday. After learning about the Ru Cha mangrove forest, Nguyen Van Hung and his wife from Ninh Binh brought their two children to experience the area. For his family, Ru Cha offers an ideal setting where they can both relax and give their children an opportunity to connect more closely with nature.
Alongside first-time visitors, Ru Cha also continues to appeal to many local young people. Bui Thi Ngoc Chau and her group of friends from Hue chose Ru Cha as their destination for National Day on September 2. For Chau, every visit brings a different experience, particularly when she can take her time enjoying the scenery and capturing memorable moments amid the greenery.
According to Mr. Nguyen Van Dang, Deputy Secretary of the Party Cell and Head of Thuan Hoa Residential Quarter, Ru Cha welcomed hundreds of visitors from early morning until noon on September 2nd. Visitors can walk through the area to enjoy the scenery and fresh air. Those wishing to experience boating can do so for 30.000 VND per person, including a life jacket and safety helmet.
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| Visitors enjoy a boating experience amid the natural surroundings of Ru Cha on the afternoon of September 2nd |
“Visitor numbers are higher on public holidays than on ordinary days. Members of the Thuan Hoa Community Tourism Group are assigned to welcome and guide visitors and introduce them to Ru Cha. They also help look after visitors’ vehicles, serve refreshments, remind visitors to keep the area clean, and ensure their safety while exploring the site”, Mr. Dang said.
Earlier, from August 28th to 30th, Ru Cha welcomed more than 700 visitors during the first three days of the pilot community-based ecotourism model. They included tour groups, independent travellers, Hue residents, and visitors from various provinces and cities.
Towards professionalism
In preparation for the pilot model, Hue Tourism College provided tourism service skills training to 20 households belonging to the Thuan Hoa Community Tourism Group. Local residents received training in welcoming and communicating with visitors, providing interpretation, and telling the story of Ru Cha. They were also equipped with knowledge of security and public order, traffic management, environmental sanitation, food safety, and safety procedures for boating experiences.
At the same time, local organizations in Hoa Chau have been involved in improving the landscape and protecting the environment around Ru Cha. The Ward Women’s Union organized environmental clean-up activities, collected waste, and encouraged its members and local residents to maintain a green, clean and beautiful environment. The Ward Farmers’ Association also launched a “Farmers Participating in Environmental Protection” model through its branch in Thuan Hoa Residential Quarter.
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| Many families chose Ru Cha as a destination during the National Day holiday |
These activities are gradually enabling residents living around the destination to become active participants in community-based tourism. From welcoming and guiding visitors, maintaining cleanliness and providing small-scale services to sharing stories about the place they call home, local residents are helping shape Ru Cha’s distinctive identity.
Initial results from visitor numbers during the September 2 holiday indicate that Ru Cha has considerable potential to develop into a distinctive community-based ecotourism destination in Hoa Chau. However, for the model to operate sustainably, local authorities need to continue reviewing facilities, refining tourism experiences, improving service quality, and ensuring a balance between tourism development and conservation of the mangrove ecosystem.
As tourism increasingly shifts toward experiences closely connected with nature and local ways of life, Ru Cha is opening up a promising new direction for tourism development in Hoa Chau Ward.