Unlocking Hanoi’s Suburban Charm: A Guide to the City’s Untapped Tourism Potential

Just a short drive from Hanoi’s bustling center, Quoc Oai District in the city’s western suburbs offers a plethora of stunning attractions perfect for heritage tourism, eco-tourism, entertainment, and quick weekend getaways. There is immense potential in Quoc Oai that awaits full exploration and promotion to attract both domestic and international visitors.

A Land of Rich Potential

The Water Temple, nestled within Thay Pagoda, is a serene and picturesque spot. Photo: Lai Tan/ The Hanoi Times

Quoc Oai District boasts a semi-mountainous terrain with plains interspersed by hills and mountains, creating a diverse and naturally beautiful landscape. The district also has a long and rich history, with a unique culture rooted in the Doai land, the ancient territory west of the capital, Thang Long, now Hanoi.

Of particular note are the district’s 220 historical, cultural, architectural, and artistic relics. Among these, two stand out as Special National Relics: Thay Pagoda in Sai Son Commune, intimately linked to the life and legacy of Zen Master Tu Dao Hanh, and So Communal House in Cong Hoa Commune, renowned for its distinctive architecture.

Additionally, Quoc Oai is a treasure trove of intangible cultural heritage. It preserves and celebrates art forms such as ‘Tuong’ singing in Duong Coc Hamlet of Dong Quang Commune, ‘Cheo’ singing in Dai Thanh Commune, and ‘Do’ singing in Liep Tuyet Commune. The district also proudly showcases water puppet art in Sai Son Commune and the vibrant Gong culture in Phu Man and Dong Xuan communes.

The Thay Pagoda Festival is a vibrant celebration in Quoc Oai District, Hanoi. Photo: Lai Tan/ The Hanoi Times

Quoc Oai offers a plethora of tourism opportunities, including agricultural and rural tourism, community-based tourism, green tourism, and experiential tourism in communes like Dong Xuan and Phu Man. The district is also home to famous craft villages, such as Ngoc Than Carpentry Village and So Vermicelli Village, which provide unique hands-on experiences for visitors.

Strategies to Awaken Quoc Oai’s Tourism Potential

Despite its abundant resources for tourism development, Quoc Oai District has not yet fully capitalized on its potential. There is a lack of organized tours and routes, and the district’s historical relics remain underutilized.

Currently, the two main attractions drawing visitors are the Special National Relic of Thay Pagoda and Tuan Chau Ecopark, collectively welcoming around 300,000 tourists annually.

Tourism experts attribute this to the district’s appeal primarily to independent travelers rather than groups. Additionally, the limited capacity of local homestays and a lack of systematic tourism investment and development plans hinder the area’s ability to accommodate larger groups.

A captivating scene from “The Quintessence of the Tonkin,” a live performance showcasing the region’s cultural heritage. Photo courtesy: Tuan Chau Ecopark

Phung Quang Thang, Chairman of the Hanoi Travel Association, emphasizes the need for a comprehensive tourism investment and development strategy. He suggests leveraging Quoc Oai’s strengths in spiritual and cultural tourism while also focusing on developing green tourism, revitalizing landscapes, and prioritizing environmental protection.

Duong Thanh Hang, Director of Sun Smile Travel Vietnam, and other tourism enterprises concur that the district’s tourism sector requires improvement to entice higher visitor spending.

Tapping into Social Resources

To increase visitor spending and create more income opportunities for locals, Duong Thanh Hang suggests that Quoc Oai District enhance the quality of services at tourist attractions. She recommends seeking private investment if state funding falls short.

Vu Van Tuyen, CEO of Travelogy Vietnam, emphasizes the importance of proactive product innovation and resource investment to renovate and restore relics, making Quoc Oai more appealing to tourists. He also advises local authorities and businesses to design new tours and routes and utilize multiple communication channels, including social media, for effective promotion.

Tourists learn about the history and architecture of the So Communal House, a Special National Relic in Quoc Oai District. Photo: Le Nam/The Hanoi Times

Hoang Nguyen Ung, Deputy Chairman of the Quoc Oai District People’s Committee, shares the district’s plans for socio-economic growth. These include implementing a master plan, attracting investments in tourist infrastructures, and developing a management model for tourist attractions. He also highlights their commitment to restoring and preserving traditional arts, craft villages, and creating souvenir products to enhance the tourist experience.

Quoc Oai extends an invitation to businesses, organizations, and individuals to invest in infrastructures, new products, and tours that blend agriculture and tourism. The district also encourages the development of local homestays to accommodate a wider range of tourists.

Through these initiatives, Quoc Oai District aspires to become a top choice for tourists and a shining example of sustainable tourism development in Hanoi, with a projected visitor count of 1-1.5 million in 2025-2030.

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