Community tourism in Cau Gay and Da Hang villages (Vinh Hai commune): Potential gradually exploited

Cau Gay and Da Hang are two villages in Vinh Hai commune, located in the core area of Nui Chua National Park (now merged with Phuoc Binh National Park to form Nui Chua - Phuoc Binh National Park) - a world biosphere reserve recognized by UNESCO and on one side is Vinh Hy Bay - a national scenic spot, one of the beautiful bays of Vietnam. Adorned with winding streams, lying peacefully in the immense green of mountains and forests; with wild beauty, and unique traditional culture, the two villages of Cau Gay and Da Hang are becoming new and attractive tourist destinations for visitors from all over the world.

Fascinated by the peaceful place

Running along Provincial Road 702 to Vinh Hai Commune, crossing Vinh Hy Bridge, then running along the embankment and winding a few more turns, we stopped in front of the suspension bridge hanging over the steep ravine before entering the two villages of Cau Gay and Da Hang. This bridge is a famous check-in spot for many young people and tourists when visiting Vinh Hy Bay. From the suspension bridge, leisurely walk along the concrete road leading to the two villages, breathe in the fresh air, admire the mountains and forests and witness the peaceful life of the people here, all the hustle and bustle of life disappear... We also easily chose for ourselves many beautiful scenes to take beautiful and unique souvenir photos.

The climate of Lo O stream is cool and pleasant all year round.

Tran Phi Mang - Vice Chairman of Vinh Hai Commune People's Committee said: "The two villages of Cau Gay and Da Hang have nearly 190 households/726 people, all of whom are Raglai ethnic people. The villages have mountainous terrain, covered by natural forests and planted forests, preserving their wild beauty, with a cool climate all year round. The highlights of the villages also include: Nuoc Ngot Stream originating from the eastern mountain range, on the stream there is Nuoc Ngot lake and Da Hang dam; Suoi Lo O originating from the high mountain range in the north, flowing through Cau Gay village, on the stream there is Cau Gay dam... creating a charming landscape painting for Cau Gay and Da Hang, very suitable and with great potential for developing various types of eco-tourism, community, resort, and nature experience"...

Indeed, coming to the two villages of Cau Gay and Da Hang, it would be a waste if visitors did not immerse themselves in the cool streams, listen to the murmuring sound that flows through the cliffs, creating a deep and deep harmony love in the middle of the wild mountains and forests; stop to rest on large rocks that locals and tourists often call "stone tables" or "stone beds"...

Near Lo O stream, there is Doai restaurant, located on the slope of Nui Chua, with a view directly to Vinh Hy bay, quite unique, famous, serving drinks and vegetarian food, chosen by many tourists as a stop when coming here. In the middle of the cool green space, visitors can enjoy the fresh air, sip a cup of coffee, a cup of tea and enjoy the scenery. In addition, for those who are passionate about trekking, the more than 5km long route connecting Lo O stream, Nui Chua - Phuoc Binh National Park and Da Do peak will help visitors satisfy their passion for conquest and discovery.

Regarding indigenous culture, the community in the 2 villages still preserves many traditional customs and practices imbued with the identity of the central coastal region; Rich local cuisine with rustic dishes, fresh ingredients from the forest, local agricultural products and wild fishing... These factors have helped Da Hang and Cau Gay have a lot of potential and advantages to develop tourism, especially community tourism, which is extremely unique and attractive.

Phan Tan Canh - Secretary of the Vinh Hai Commune Party Committee said that after Nui Chua - Phuoc Binh National Park was recognized by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve (September 2021), authorities at all levels and the Management Board of Nui Chua - Phuoc Binh National Park (before the province's merger) had many solutions to help people in Cau Gay and Da Hang villages change their livelihoods; typically, helping people participate in ecotourism models, providing services imbued with unique indigenous cultural identities such as brewing rice wine, making crossbows, making Chapi, playing Ma La...; making jewelry from forest seeds. In fact, many households in Cau Gay village doing community tourism in the Lo O stream area have an income of tens of millions of VND/month, significantly contributing to improving their lives. In addition, the Pilot Project on Developing OCOP products on tourism services associated with enhancing the role of community organization and management in Cau Gay village, Vinh Hai commune, phase 2024 - 2025 has been approved by the People's Committee of Ninh Thuan province (former), and is still being implemented, with the following construction items: places for displaying, introducing and selling traditional local products; traffic bridge across Lo O stream... not only contributing to completing the infrastructure serving the life and production of Raglai people in the 2 villages, but also promoting the development of community tourism and eco-tourism in the locality.

It is known that in order to exploit the potential and advantages of tourism, the commune has also launched the Vinh Hy Cultural Tourism Village Project, focusing on developing the My Hoa kite surfing area, forming tourist destinations to experience agriculture and Raglai culture in the 2 villages of Da Hang and Cau Gay, connecting with the Ninh Chu - Binh Tien tourism axis. Along with infrastructure development, the commune continues to promote and actively organize tourism promotion activities and events; encourage tourism and travel businesses to strengthen links with domestic and international tours and routes, including destinations such as Cau Gay and Da Hang; at the same time, propagate and mobilize people to actively protect the environment, build a friendly and civilized lifestyle... to help the two villages attract tourists, contributing to the locality's goal of welcoming 9 million visitors, raising total income from tourism activities to more than 1,000 billion VND in the period of 2025 - 2030.

Thanh Xuan

Translated by T.T