Next door to Hanoi and endowed with natural beauties, historic and cultural relics, Ha Tay is an ideal place for the development of tourism.
Ba Vi Wilderness
Ba Vi district lies in the Northern midland of the province on an area of 420 sq. kilometres. The inhabitants are of Kinh, Muong and Dao ethnicities. It is a site of ancient historical importance with rich and diversified historic and cultural values as well as famous landscapes such as King’s Lake, Green Park and Ba Vi natural park. Suoi Hai stream, Thuan My hot spring, Dam Long - Bang Ta primitive forest, Ngoc Nhi bird sanctuary, Trung and Thuong temples and the site of Ho Chi Minh’s K9 shelter during the war. Various kinds of tourism can be developed in Ba Vi: eco-tourism, adventure, mountain climbing, resorts, week-end holidays and meditation.
In the past, its potentials were mostly untapped. Since 1998, the district started the tourism industry and developed it into a spearheaded economic sector. The number of tourists, both Vietnamese and foreign, increased from 103,100 in 1997 to 600,000 in 2004 and in 2005 the figure is expected at 700,000.
In addition to Ba Vi, Ha Tay has also other famous landscapes and tourist sites namely Huong Son (Perfume Pagoda), Tay Phuong and Thay pagodas with ancient cultural values and the magnificent Dong Mo golf course.
Bee-hive Stone Village
Duong Lam (or Mia village) is an ancient village of the Viet race. There remain 800 bee-hive stone houses in nine hamlets. The small village is famous for its relics of national classification such as Phung Hung temple, Ngo Quyen tomb, Mia pagoda, the shrine of Scholar Giang Van Minh, and Mong Phu communal house together with unique legends and monuments.
To preserve the cultural values in Duong Lam, a seminar was organised on August 16, 2005 by Vietnamese and Japanese scientists. High priority was given to Mong Phu hamlet to protect most of its ancient houses.
To He village - figurine producers
Xuan La village, 30 km North East of Hanoi, has pursued a unique profession - producing To he figurines or dolls. The profession is so old that the villagers themselves cannot define the meaning of To he. The figurines are animals; dogs, cats, pigs, and chickens, flowers; roses, chrysanthemums, and sunflowers or sacred symbols such as dragons and phoenix.
To he is made of fine flour from sticky rice. The flour is cooked to a certain temperature and mixed with colours. To he is not only attractive to children as toys but also provides education about their cultural value and humanity. At times, the whole village is engaged in the production and sales of To he in all parts of Vietnam. Last Summer, Mr Thuan even visited the U.S. and introduced the art of To he to the world.
Ha Tay is regarded as a “sleeping beauty”. With its advantages in potentials and location, the province will be developed into an important Vietnamese tourist centre.
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