Tourism between Sa Thay and Kon Tum: Great potential, but inadequate development

DNHN - Attractive and competitive tourism products are not yet available, despite the district of Sa Thay's substantial tourism development potential and exceptional comparative advantages within the region.

The great development potential is not commensurate with its size.

Sa Thay district is situated in the southwest of Kon Tum province, approximately 30 kilometers from the city center, and has a natural land area of 143 522.3 hectares, of which 71% consists of forests and forestry land. The district has a population of over 42,700, which is comprised of six ethnic groups: Kinh, Ja Rai, Hlang, Ro Mam, Ba Na (Ro Ngao), Thai, and other ethnic minorities.

The district of Sa Thay has a rich and diverse cultural identity, which is an advantage compared to other locales in the province and region. For the development of community-based tourism such as the primeval forest provided by nature, the Chu Mom Ray range is unique and legendary, associated with the "Brocade Mountain" legend of the local Ja Rai people. With a designated Southeast Asian Heritage National Park.

It is especially suitable for ecotourism and community cultural tourism due to its majestic and pristine natural landscape and diverse and abundant flora and fauna resources. With locations such as Monkey Waterfall, Seven-story waterfall, Lang Lang forest, Bat Cave, Animal Beach, lawn, Suoi Ngang, etc., as well as fresh, quiet air, rainbow-colored waters, and tens of thousands of other similar messages. Like a young woman's hair streams in the early morning sun, the natural wonders that nature has bestowed upon this land provide visitors with a sense of calm and serenity.

Mr. Vu Dinh Dung, chairman of the Sa Son Commune People's Committee, stated that the local natural conditions are extremely diverse, creating a wealth of attractive natural tourism resources, such as experience tourism, entertainment, convalescence, ecotourism, and so on. Specifically, since 2019, the People's Committee of Kon Tum province has issued Decision 1308/QD-UBND, approving the Conservation Project, promoting the traditional cultural values of ethnic minorities in Kon Tum province from 2020 to 2025, and assigning the Sa Thay District People's Committee to coordinate with the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism to implement the project " Traditional villages of ethnic minorities in the province", of which Bar Goc village, Sa Son village, Bar Goc village currently consists of 182 households with 670 inhabitants, of which nearly 95% are Gia Rai ethnic people who have preserved many traditional cultural features, quite comprehensive cultural types of stilt house architecture, communal house; water wharf is still in use; tomb area includes tomb statues used in the Po Thi ritual (abandoning the grave) of the Gia Rai ethnic group; gongs, sinuses, folk singing... In addition, several traditional festivals and occupations are still practiced, such as the celebration of the new communal house, the rituals that follow the life cycle of highland rice, and the ceremony of thanksgiving. Po Thi ceremony...; handicraft industries, including knitting, brocade weaving, and making traditional musical instruments such as tung, k'n, ding pong...

In particular, the Monkey Waterfall cluster is situated in the Sa Son commune, 15 kilometers from the district center of Sa Thay. Monkey Waterfall is 20 meters tall and is located on the perennially flowing Ia Trol stream. According to locals, when the fruit is ripe, a large number of birds, monkeys, and langurs congregate in this area, creating a very noisy scene. The villagers of Bar Goc village named it Monkey Waterfall because, on sunny days, the primates congregate on the rocks at the base of the waterfall to play and sunbathe together, which is even more impressive.

Attractive and competitive tourism products are not yet available, despite the district of Sa Thay's substantial tourism development potential and exceptional comparative advantages within the region. On the other hand, the socioeconomic conditions of the district remain precarious, and the State budget and investment resources to develop tourism infrastructure do not match the tourism potential of the region.

Tourism products are still weak and have not realized their full potential.

According to the leader of the Sa Thay District People's Committee, "With the advantage of the majestic natural scenery of mountains and forests and many enchanting waterfalls, in addition to the unique traditional culture of ethnic minorities and historical relics, History associated with the resounding victories of the army and local people in the resistance war for independence and reunification is a potential for Sa Thay district (Kon Tum province) to promote tourism development in the region."

In the coming years, the Party Committee and government of the Sa Thay district have identified as a top priority the development of tourism as the district's primary economic sector. In particular, the district will focus on effectively exploiting activities related to resort tourism, ecotourism, and the development of models for wild fishing, cage fish farming, and hatchery production to revitalize the Sa Thay district. Tourism development and becoming a prestigious seafood supplier for the North Central Highlands region.

In addition, the district will review and plan tourism development through 2030; invest in routes that will become tourist attractions, rest stops, destinations, and landings; and restore and repair memorial stele houses. The locality also supports and mobilizes ethnic minorities to maintain and restore traditional festivals, create and gradually expand tours and sightseeing routes in fishing and aquaculture villages, and model ethnic minority villages.

Sa Thay district focuses on the development of eco-tourism in Chu Mom Ray National Park in conjunction with agricultural tourism in Mo Rai commune; constructing the "capital" of fruit trees and medicinal plants in Ho Moong commune; and transforming Dak Wok Yop fishing village into a model new rural residential area to connect eco-tourism sites on the Plei Krong hydropower reservoir in conjunction with tourism participation. visit the orchard, medicinal garden, and spiritual tourist attraction Charlie, Delta; to construct cage fish farming areas, large-scale hatchery production areas, and high-tech applications...

However, over the years, the leaders of the province of Kon Tum have issued numerous policies to promote tourism in this promising region. But according to tourism experts, researchers, organizations, and businesses, the local tourism industry has been limited to small, spontaneous households due to a lack of investment in articles. It lacks the connections necessary to enrich and diversify tourism products and provide excellent service to tourists, so it is ineffective and out of proportion with existing capabilities and strengths.

Presently, introductory work is being conducted to transform the Sa Thay district into a hub for eco-community-historical-spiritual tourism, etc., connecting local tours with the rest of the nation. The district's tourism potential has not received sufficient promotion. Moreover, attracting investment sources to build essential infrastructure for this work is still very limited, so the development of new and distinctive tourism products faces numerous challenges.

Therefore, for Sa Thay tourism to truly take off and become a linchpin economic sector of the district, it is necessary to join forces and coordinate and support the authorities at all levels, particularly the targeted and key investment of large enterprises across the country, thereby creating a favorable environment.

Trong Tam