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Cao Bang: Developing tourism through souvenir products

In recent years, tourism development in Cao Bang has been increasingly associated with promoting the production and trade of handmade souvenirs, contributing significantly to promoting local culture and developing the community economy.

Developing tourism through souvenir products is an important strategy to enhance the tourist experience and create a sustainable source of income for localities. Souvenir products often bear the cultural, historical and artistic imprints of the locality. Handicrafts, traditional costumes or items with typical symbolic images can help tourists remember special experiences when traveling there. At the same time, souvenir products are also a tool to spread local culture to the world when tourists bring them back home.

Souvenirs in Cao Bang are not only lovely gifts but also represent the unique cultural identity of the ethnic groups here such as Tay, Nung, Dao, Mong, etc. From colorful brocade costumes, items made from bamboo, to products made from wood and stone, each item contains its own story about the life and traditions of the highland people. In the province, there are many traditional craft villages and occupations that are preserved and conserved: Phuc Sen blacksmith village, Hoang Dieu conical hat making village, Dia Tren village paper making craft (Quang Hoa), Luong Noi brocade weaving craft village (Ha Quang), silver carving, beeswax printing (Nguyen Binh), straw weaving (Trung Khanh), etc. In particular, souvenirs are handcrafted by local artisans with traditional techniques passed down through many generations, always a favorite choice of tourists.

Mr. Nguyen Van Trung, a tourist from Hanoi, shared: When traveling to Cao Bang, visiting and coming to traditional craft villages, buying products, I not only have a souvenir but also feel the ingenuity and skill of the artisans as well as the traditional culture of the people here.

Unique and iconic souvenirs help shape and promote a region’s tourism brand. The production and sale of souvenirs creates jobs for local people, especially artisans. As tourism grows, the demand for souvenirs also increases, thereby promoting local economic development. Souvenirs often give tourists a sense of closeness and connection to the culture and people of the places they have visited. This makes it easier for them to preserve beautiful memories and motivates them to return to visit in the future.

In addition, it helps create jobs for local people. Artisans and craftsmen can maintain traditional occupations, while increasing income and improving their lives. In particular, products that are highly appreciated by tourists will help spread, not only domestically but also to the international market. Moreover, the development of craft villages and souvenir shops also contributes to attracting more cultural experience tours. Tourists not only come to visit but also have the opportunity to participate in weaving and handicraft making activities, thereby increasing their connection with the culture and people of Cao Bang.

In recent times, the province has paid attention to the restoration and development of craft villages associated with improving the quality of OCOP products, increasing participation and organizing trade and tourism promotion activities to display and introduce local specialties. At the same time, people are encouraged to research and develop product designs and packaging to suit customers' tastes.

Although souvenirs have made positive strides in tourism development, there are still many challenges to overcome. One of the biggest difficulties is how to make souvenirs both maintain traditional values ​​and suit modern tastes of tourists. In particular, the current consumer market requires creativity and diversity, so souvenirs need to be constantly improved in design and quality.

To continue developing tourism through souvenir products, the province needs to strengthen handicraft training for local people, while promoting these products on many platforms. Tourism fairs and events are also good opportunities to introduce Cao Bang souvenir products to international visitors. In particular, there should be policies to support and preserve handicraft villages, creating conditions for artisans to continue to preserve and develop traditional crafts.

Developing tourism through souvenir products not only brings a stable source of income for the people but also helps preserve and promote the unique cultural values ​​of this land. By linking culture and tourism, Cao Bang is building a solid foundation in the smokeless industry, opening up many sustainable development opportunities for both the community and tourists.