Signature cuisine contributes to promoting tourism of a mountainous region
Wednesday - 20/11/2024 16:09
Cao Bang is an attractive destination with majestic natural scenery, many famous landscapes, historical relics and a culture imbued with national identity. Not only that, this land also leaves an unforgettable impression on visitors with its unique cuisine featuring the flavors of the Northeastern mountainous region. Culinary culture is one of the key factors contributing to Cao Bang tourism branding and development.
Cao Bang cuisine has the typical flavor of the Northeastern mountains and forests.
Since 2022, Cao Bang tourism has witnessed many bright spots with rapid and stable growth rate. In the first 6 months of 2024, Cao Bang attracted over 1 million tourists, an increase of over 11% compared to the same period in 2023, total tourism revenue is estimated at 791 billion VND. Tourism business efficiency has been improved, room occupancy rate is estimated at 52%, accommodation, catering and travel services are estimated at 1,051.49 billion VND, an increase of over 44.6% compared to the same period last year. To achieve the above results, besides the values of natural resources, culture and history, it is also necessary to mention the rich and unique cuisine, which is an "effective bridge" contributing to promoting tourism and attracting tourists to Non nuoc Cao Bang.
Tourists enjoyed local cuisine at the community tourism village of Hoai Khao hamlet, Quang Thanh commune (Nguyen Binh).
Each season brings with it signature dishes. Cao Bang cuisine reflects the sophistication and ingenuity in processing, combining abundant natural ingredients to create flavourful dishes that embody the friendliness and hospitality of highland people. Cao Bang cuisine is not only rich and diverse but also reflects unique features of the beliefs, customs and practices of the highland people with products closely related to the local natural conditions, lifestyles and production seasons. The rustic and simple dishes processed from locally grown ingredients, ensure freshness and rich nutrition and captivate many diners. In particular, many Cao Bang delicacies are included in the top 100 Vietnamese dishes and specialties such as: “banh cuon” (steamed rice rolls), “Ap chao”, sticky rice with canarium fruit, “Coong phu”, “Che lam”, Phja Den vermicelli, Trung Khanh chestnut... Enjoying local cuisine in a traditional cultural space with the harmony of folk art forms such as: folk songs, Then singing, Tinh lute, Khen dance, etc. brings visitors a memorable experience full of flavors and emotions on the journey exploring Cao Bang.
Trung Khanh chestnutswas in the "Top 100 Vietnamese specialty gifts" 2020 - 2021.
To promote tourism development by harnessing culinary strengths, in recent times, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Tourism Association, tourist service providers and localities in the province have enhanced tourism promotion activities associated with promoting traditional culture and cuisine to create signature and creative new tourism products. In particular, focusing on promoting culinary tourism on electronic information pages, social network platforms, organizing culinary fairs, displaying OCOP products, local specialties at political and cultural events, and tourist destinations, etc. Culinary festivals attracting the participation of a large number of business households, enterprises and cooperatives contribute to widely promoting Cao Bang culinary culture nationwide
Le Thuy black jelly, Chang Khuyen hamlet, Dong Khe town (Thach An) meets 3-star OCOP provincial standards.
Typically, the 2023 Cao Bang Province Tourism Culinary Creativity Contest "Delicious Dishes of the Mountainous Region" created an interesting and useful platform, which created a chance for tourist service providers, restaurants, hotels and community-based tourism villages in the province to strengthen their solidarity, broaden understanding and exchange gastronomy experience. Following this success, the 2024 Cao Bang Province Tourism Culinary Creativity Contest "Delicious Dishes of the Mountainous Region" is going to be held in November 2024 with the goal of finding unique and traditional delicacies embracing the culture and characteristics of Cao Bang and developing a culinary map to promote and introduce Cao Bang delicacies to a large number of domestic and international tourists. Thereby, valorizing the diversity and value of traditional culinary culture of Cao Bang.
"Lap suon" is a long-standing traditional dish of Cao Bang people.
To improve product quality as well as reach a large number of consumers, many food production and trading establishments in the province have actively participated in the OCOP program and gradually affirmed their brands in the market. Many OCOP products of the province have large production capacity and stable consumption such as: sausage, bacon, Tan Viet A vermicelli, Bao Lac sticky rice, etc. Some products such as black tea and green tea are aimed at export markets to China and Australia. Developing OCOP products combined with visiting craft villages and community tourism not only helps to increase product value, preserve cultural heritage but also contributes to improving local people's income and increasing revenue for the province's tourism industry.
International tourists enjoyed local cuisine on their journey to explore the Non nuoc Cao Bang.
Cao Bang cuisine not only affirms its position in the hearts of diners but also promises to become an attractive, unique tourism product, reflecting the cultural identity of the local ethnic communities. Therefore, effectively promoting and advertising culinary culture will contribute to creating a distinctive signature and great appeal to domestic and international visitors, boosting the effective and sustainable development of Cao Bang tourism.
Author: The Management Board of the Non nuoc Cao Bang Geopark