But to make that happen, this central place must solve the problem of putting the lake area into tourism development to diversify tours and routes, meeting the needs of being close to nature, exploring lakes like some famous places for waterfall, lake, river tourism in the country, not just "confined" on the shore.

Changing perceptions about tourism

Since the Binh Thuan Provincial Party Committee Base relic site during the anti-American resistance war in Saloun, Dong Giang commune came into operation, on weekends, tourists have gathered in large numbers. Provincial Road 22, the road to the ethnic minority communes of Ham Thuan Bac district, which used to be quiet, is now bustling with vehicles. These images have made people in Dong Giang begin to listen and understand better what was said at meetings of women, youth, farmers... about rural tourism development. It is simply products harvested from the forest such as bamboo shoots, rattan shoots, betel leaves... or raising pigs, chickens, ducks to sell to customers. In the commune, there are 2 restaurants, which are the first places of consumption. In the early days of tourism development, Dong Giang commune officials also participated in tourism by connecting with the people.

K'Van Tien, Chairman of Dong Giang Commune People's Committee, said that many groups of tourists, before visiting the Binh Thuan Provincial Party Committee base relic site, did not know where to contact, so they called the commune to ask for help... arranging lunch. In the spirit of initial tourism support, commune officials called the restaurant, mobilizing people in the commune to sell whatever products they had to the restaurant. It was hard work, because visitors like to eat specialties in the highlands. In another development, Mr. Tien said that the commune is also planning to move old unused classrooms in village 3, located on the way to the revolutionary base, to build kiosks selling products to serve tourists. Although there is nothing outstanding at present, commune officials all agree that developing rural tourism will boost the economy in Dong Giang commune in the near future.

Meanwhile, in Da Mi, the commune did not dare to carry out any propaganda about tourism development to the people. “Because in reality, the people here have spontaneously provided tourism services. Because of the problem of converting land use rights, there is no basis to propagate tourism development. After the dialogue meeting with the people in Da Mi by the Secretary and Chairman of the district on the morning of September 21, the commune proposed a more suitable land allocation plan for the people. If approved by the competent authority, it will create a lever for tourism development”. – Chairman of the People's Committee of Da Mi commune Nguyen Anh Toan said.

That is the solution of Da Mi and also in harmony with the tourism development atmosphere that Ham Thuan Bac district has built in Plan 150 on implementing Plan No. 848/KH-UBND of the Provincial People's Committee and Plan No. 67-KH/HU of the District Party Committee (term XII), on tourism development to 2025, with a vision to 2030, issued in July 2022. It emphasizes: "District departments, branches and People's Committees of communes and towns promote propaganda work, raise awareness that tourism development is the responsibility of the whole society; tourism is a comprehensive economic sector, with profound cultural content, inter-sectoral, inter-regional and highly socialized, bringing positive effects to socio-economic development; mobilize the strength of the entire political system and the entire population to participate in tourism development".

Color Collection

Plan 150 outlines the specific goals by 2025: to complete the detailed planning of Ham Thuan - Da Mi tourism and Song Quao lake tourism; receive and put into operation the Binh Thuan Provincial Party Committee Base relic site during the resistance war against the US in Saloun, Dong Giang commune; attract at least 1 investment project to the Ham Thuan - Da Mi tourism planning area and a number of areas with potential and advantages for developing ecotourism and community tourism such as lakes, dams, rivers, streams, ponds, fields adjacent to forests, etc. By 2030, strive to attract at least 01 investment project to the Song Quao lake tourism planning area and continue to attract more investment projects in a number of areas with potential and advantages for developing ecotourism and community tourism. At the same time, tourism is determined to initially account for a proportion in the economic structure of the district and contribute to the goal of becoming a spearhead economic sector, a pillar of economic and social development of the province...

From that goal, the district also assigned departments and offices to carry out tasks of developing rural tourism in the district. Specifically, such as implementing connecting routes between communes, from the district center to National Highway 1 and connecting to the North-South Expressway (section through the district), in the immediate future, advising the District People's Committee to propose to competent authorities to invest in completing the DT 714 route (section of Dong Tien commune). Or calculating investment in the power system to serve tourist areas; calling for investment in developing a network of markets, shopping centers, convenience stores; supporting the development of OCOP products, traditional handicraft products, craft villages, souvenir products typical of the locality...

At the same time, preserve, conserve and develop nature reserves and protective forests for ecotourism, experience living in harmony with nature and educate environmental protection awareness. On the other hand, encourage and create favorable conditions for businesses, cooperatives and people to invest in agricultural tourism, ecotourism, study, research and experience agricultural and forestry activities associated with the development of organic agriculture, high-tech agriculture, forest care and development. At the same time, develop resort tourism products, forest-waterfall-lake ecotourism, nature conquest tourism, agricultural ecotourism, community tourism combined with homestay; associated with restoring and developing the unique culture of the K'Ho ethnic group with typical products such as brocade weaving, gong culture, enjoying black pig cuisine, bamboo rice, etc.

Thereby, gradually forming a tourism chain connecting tourist destinations in the district with neighboring areas. In fact, the inter-district tourism route Tanh Linh - Ham Thuan Bac - Phan Thiet City has begun to take shape. It is worth noting that on that tourism route, Da Mi itself, with the center being the two lakes Ham Thuan and Da Mi, with its inherent tourism potential, if unleashed, will create unique and different features of rural tourism in Ham Thuan Bac compared to other places. But for that to become a reality, this central place must resolve the decisive obstacle of putting the lake area into tourism development to diversify tours and routes, meeting the needs of being close to nature, exploring lakes like some famous places for waterfall, lake and river tourism in the country, not just "confined" on the shore. That bustle determines that local people have jobs and good incomes, thanks to selling agricultural products. That is the ultimate destination that Plan 150 sets out.

“Create favorable conditions for tourism and travel businesses and organizations and individuals inside and outside the province to open tours and routes, especially tours to explore Song Quao Lake, Ham Tri Commune and Da Mi Lake, Ham Thuan Lake, Da Mi Commune and tourist attractions in the district” - Plan 150 of Ham Thuan Bac District.

Lesson 1: The highlands call

Lesson 2: Da Mi's dilemma

Lesson 3: The side that does nothing, the side that desires

Lesson 4: The "Road" to Take