By unlocking potential of pristine landscapes and indigenous culture, “green” ecotourism models, festival chains alongside heritage journeys are reshaping Dak Lak’s tourism industry.

“Green” experiences

Dak Lak’s tourism sector is proactively transforming itself, shifting from resource-based exploitation towards professional, environmentally friendly services capable of generating sustainable value.

A notable example is the elephant-friendly tourism model at Yok Don National Park (NP). Instead of traditional elephant riding tourism, since July 2018 the park has cooperated with the Animals Asia Foundation to transition to a model allowing elephants are returned to the natural habitats. According to Mr. Vu Duc Gioi, Deputy Director of the Centre for Environmental Education and Services at Yok Don NP, the transition initially faced numerous challenges due to tourists’ habits, but has gradually attracted strong interest, particularly from international visitors. At present, 95% of visitors to the park choose elephant-friendly tourism tour. Revenue generated from these activities since the beginning of the year has exceeded 1 billion VND, five times higher than when the model was first introduced.

Foreign visitors experiencing ecotourism at Yok Don National Park.

Moreover, Yok Don NP has diversified its “green” tourism products through activities such as forest trekking, off-road cycling, dry-season birdwatching along with culinary tours featuring traditional dishes prepared alongside local communities surrounding the park.

Community-based coastal ecotourism models are also undergoing strong transformation, creating a comprehensive experiential ecosystem. Ms. Nguyen Thi Phan, Director of Hon Yen Tourism Cooperative in O Loan commune, said: “Our tourism activities focus on taking visitors sightseeing by basket boat, then connecting them with livelihood models associated with local resources, including bird’s nest processing facilities and traditional fish sauce producers. Through this, we both preserve the ecological space as well as provide visitors with close-to-nature experiences”.

“Journey to heritage”

Dak Lak possesses a rich treasure trove of cultural heritage with numerous distinctive values. Particularly notable are the Space of Gong Culture in the Central Highlands and the Art of Bai Choi in Central Viet Nam, two representative intangible cultural heritages of humanity recognised by UNESCO. Beyond their historical combined with cultural significance, these heritages also open up major potential for sustainable tourism development.

Gong culture is closely associated with important rituals such as new rice celebrations, water source worship rituals and grave-leaving ceremonies among the Ede, M’nong together with Bana ethnic groups. Gong performances, traditional festivals alongside community-based experiences are becoming increasingly attractive tourism products.

Large numbers of residents along with tourists participating in cultural activities during Hang Po Festival in Ea Drong commune.

In addition, 11 national intangible cultural heritages, including Khan epics of Ede people, longevity celebration rituals of M’nong people, traditional pottery craftsmanship, whale worship festivals, traditional fish sauce making in the provincial eastern part, alongside knowledge related to coffee cultivation and processing, constitute valuable “soft resources” for developing attractive tourism products.

In particular, the biennial Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Festival has evolved into a major national coupled with international event, attracting large numbers of visitors through a wide range of activities. Each edition of the festival has contributed significantly to growth in tourist arrivals, while stimulating accommodation, food and transport services.

Traditional cultural festivals of northern migrant ethnic communities, such as Hang Po Festival in Ea Drong commune, Viet Bac Folk Culture Festival in Ea Ning commune together with Long Tong Festival in Ea Kly commune, with their distinctive cultural identities, are also highlights attracting increasing numbers of visitors to Dak Lak.

Translated by KHUONG THAO