Initiated in 2023, the “Community Tourism Development” project in Hoa Hiep ward comprises 23 members with five service groups: Homestay services, culinary experiences, agriculture, fishing activities, and traditional Bai Choi folk singing. Since then, numerous homestays, restaurants, alongside cafe shops along the coast have been established, meeting the experiential needs of tourists.

Many households in Lo Village (Phu Tho 1, Phu Tho 2, and Phu Tho 3 neighborhoods) are boldly investing in as well as developing tourism in a way that both provides convenient services and promotes, preserves, along with conserves local cultural values.

Here, tourists can visit and experience traditional bakeries, fishing-net weaving, combined with sing-along venues where local Bai Choi folk singing is performed. According to statistics, there have currently been 72 accommodation establishments in Phu Tho 1, Phu Tho 2, and Phu Tho 3 neighborhoods. This shows the attractiveness of Hoa Hiep beach tourism coupled with the potential for future community tourism development.

Lo Village, viewed from above, resembles a watercolor painting.

To effectively implement the approved “Community Tourism Development” project aimed at preserving the cultural identity of the coastal village, the Hoa Hiep Ward People’s Committee is focusing on issuing construction permits to guide tourism businesses together with fishermen living in Phu Tho 1, Phu Tho 2, and Phu Tho 3 areas in preserving the distinctive architecture of Lo Village.

“Besides that, we will coordinate with people knowledgeable about festivals such as the Fishing Festival and the traditional ba trao folk performances to be guided as well as recreate them for tourists to visit alongside enjoy. Simultaneously, we will prepare a dossier requesting the PPC to recognize the Temple of Ong Fish as provincial-level historical sites, while completing the infrastructure system, coordinating with the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, while connecting with travel businesses to include Lo Village as one of the destinations in tourism itineraries associated with traditional features,” added comrade Huynh Nguyen Ngoc Giang, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Hoa Hiep Ward.

Towards the best tourism village

Visiting the coastal villages of Hoa Hiep ward today, we can easily feel that the people are not only venturing out to sea but also gradually developing community tourism, while preserving and spreading traditional cultural values through traditional crafts, festivals, combined with distinctive lifestyles.

Mr. Pham Y Thien, Head of the Culture and Social Affairs Department of Hoa Hiep ward, said: “The ward has chosen Phu Tho 3 neighborhood – an area with many distinctive values in terms of landscape, architecture, along with fishing village culture – to build a typical community tourism model; concurrently, register to participate in the “Best Tourism Village” award in 2026 of the United Nations Tourism Organization (UN Tourism). The model is oriented towards development based on preserving and promoting traditional values, notably the characteristic red tiled roof houses, the seaside village space, alongside culture and seafood cuisine activities, etc.”

Spacious and airy spaces at the coastal homestays in Lo Village.

In the coming time, the Hoa Hiep Ward People’s Committee will continue refining the community tourism model, selecting Lo 3 Village as the highlight, playing the role of a “nucleus” to gradually expand to the entire coastal area in the ward, which helps to form a unique community tourism network, contributing to diversifying tourism products, extending the length of stay, while increasing tourism spending visiting the area.

The locality is focusing on accelerating the investment progress of coastal tourism projects, contributing to improving marine tourism products combined with services. Particular attention is being paid to investing in synchronized transportation infrastructure connecting coastal villages. The promotion of community tourism among tourists from both inside and outside the province to be strengthened. Besides, the approved “Community Tourism Development” project is being effectively utilized, contributing to building a friendly, civilized, as well as attractive image of Hoa Hiep tourism.

Translated by TRINH THUY