Hanoi (VNA) – Community-based tourism isconsidered a new way to attract more tourists to Hanoi, which covers a largesuburban area with enticing local lifestyle and culture.

A number of localities in the capital city have alreadyengaged in the homestay trend, including Duong Lam ancient village in Son Taytown, Dao Thuc water puppetry village in Dong Anh district, Lai Xa photographyvillage in Hoai Duc district, and Ba Vi district.

For example, located just 50km to the Northwest of Hanoi,Duong Lam, recognised as a national heritage area, has been a magnet for bothdomestic and foreign visitors for its well preserved ancient houses and richculture and history typical of the northern delta region.

The combination of agriculture and tourism has helpedvillagers find another source of income apart from their crops, all whileproviding tourists with a unique experience. In the past, since there were notmany overnight accommodations available in Duong Lam, visitors often opted forshort day trips. However, these days many local families have opened theirdoors to strangers for a home-stay experience. An overnight stay is exactlywhat people need to fully enjoy what the village has to offer. They can spendthe day working with farmers and joining their daily activities.

Residents of Ba Vi district have also reaped benefits fromcommunity-based tourism.

Dinh Thi Hao has provided home-stay services at her house inthe local Ba Trai commune for three years, treating customers to home grown andcooked food as well as farming experiences. She hosts between 20 and 50 guestsper month, with earnings from this work up to 10 times higher than the income fromher tea farm.

Meanwhile, Ba Vi commune at the foot of a mountain of thesame name, where 80 percent of the population know traditional herbalmedicines, has developed a series of tourism services, particularly a bathingservice using traditional herbs of Dao ethnic people. Increasing popularity ofthe Dao bathing service has helped many families of the ethnic community escapepoverty.

Hanoi’s community-based tourism, however, lacks investmentin professional service supply for its sustainable growth. As a result, therevenue it brings to communities still falls short of potential. Encouragingthe participation of enterprises in the model can help equipped households withbetter tourism knowledge and business management skills.

The capital city welcomed 5.74 million foreign visitors in2018, up 16 percent against 2017, among 26 million tourists spending time inthe city. Its key tourism markets include China, the Republic of Korea, Japan,France, the US, the UK, Germany, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Canada.

The city aims to greet 6.7 million foreign visitors, out ofnearly 28.6 million tourists in 2019.-VNA