 Tourism products of Tuyên Quang are being introduced at Trade and Tourism Promotion Conference in February 2017. |
Lack of local tourism products
Lương Thị Tý, lived in Tân Lập hamlet, Tân Trào village (Sơn Dương dictrict), have sought tourism products at the road into Special National Monument Tân Trào for 6-7 years. Her products include southern herbology, local specialties such as: sticky rice cakes, jungle chickens…
Products such as brocade clothes, bracelets, flutes… are however delivered from Thổ Tang (Vĩnh Phúc). The rising number of tourist is contrary to the number of goods sold. Thus, most of tourists seem to easily skip these souvenirs. Ms. Tý’s shop is likely the same with almost other shops selling goods, souvenirs in tourism destinations of the province.
In ecotourism areas of Na Hang, more and more tourists have visited here but none of local tourism products have been sought accept few products, for instance: Shan Tuyết tea, fermented meat, Phong Lan floweres (Orchidaceae)… which have been on stock at a small number of shops in Na Hang.
Mr. Lê Thanh Sơn, the Head of Na Hang Ecotourism Management Board, said that tourists who want to learn about local tourism products often have to go through the guides and then find out for themselves. Only the brocade products make good benefits when it cost about 7 - 15 million VND. However, these products are not always available for tourists.
In closing, the province is facing a serious tourism products shortage. At this present time there is only one brocade weaving factory in Hàm Yên district and few artisans who manufacture a limited number of Đàn Tính (a string instrument). Local products are being sold in a small scale business and unprofessional manner.
 Tourists are buying souvenirs at Special National Monument Tân Trào (Sơn Dương). Image: Nguyễn Chính |
Phạm Văn Hùng, a tourist from Hà Nội, said it was his pleasure to visit Special National Monument Tân Trào, especially when he had an opportunity to visit historical destinations associated with revolutionary history of the nation such as: Nà Nừa shed, Tân Trào temple…
These historical destinations mentioned above are highly educational. However, lack of special souvenirs of the relic caused Hùng’s disappointment. Besides, most of tourism products made in China are sold all over the country while the local products shortage is big obstacles for creating benefits and promoting tourism.
Solutions are urgently required
Mr. Nguyễn Vũ Phan, Acting Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, believe that tourism is a general economic industry, therefore local authorities are confused with the souvenirs issue and they supposed that they are not fully responsible for that issue.
Developing tourism products is required actions from specialized departments such as Department of Industry and Trade, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, governments of districts and city, tourism destinations, Provincial Business Association.
The role of authorities and advisory authorities is especially important to promote the potentials and strengths of the locality, create local products and to meet the market hospitality of tourists.
At present the Provincial Culture, Sports and Tourism sector has had some ideas on making souvenir products bearing typical images of Tuyên Quang and these ideas have been in process. However, this is only the first step, which is creating leaves of the Tân Trào banyan, model of the Tân Trào banyen, drums of the Dao ethnic, Dan Tinh…
 Manh Binh - Brocade weaving factory at Tan Yen, Ham Yen. |
For the purpose of encouraging organizations and individuals involved in the production and trading of commodities, souvenirs, the Tourism Development Assistance Fund was established. This fund will directly support organizations and individuals for investing in machinery and equipment.
Besides, the units have to develop the promotion of specialty brands of Tuyên Quang such as corn-tea wine, dried buffalo meat ... When the branded products are not only sold directly to The tourist but also reach out to other markets.
According to Mr. Nguyễn Văn Dưng, Chairman of Lam Binh People's Committee, with the purpose of developing tourism products, the localities must build a specific plan assigned to specific units. Then select some best tourism products and then make the sample design to ensure consistency. When samples are available, it will be handed over to organizations, individuals, cooperatives or enterprises to produce.
In recent years, Lam Binh district has been able to provide support to cotton farmers who produce brocade weaving brocade for tourists. At home, the model of Homestay tourism has initially exhibited typical Tay costumes and production tools. Here, the district will have to carry out a plan to gradually develop goods, products, souvenirs for tourists.
However, Lâm Bình authorities just have been able to support to cotton planting families who produce brocade clothes. Inside a family using Homestay tourism business model, typical Tày’s costumes and their production tools have been exhibited. In the near future, the district authorities have to carry out a plan to gradually develop goods, products, souvenirs for tourists.
Souvenirs not only increase the surplus value of tourism but also one of the solutions to promote the impression of the province to the outside. Therefore, the identification of featured souvenirs at local destinations shall increase the revenue for Tourism and promote the image of the locality.
