Son La (VNS/VNA) - At the side of a localhydroelectric reservoir, a group of Thai youngsters are unleashing the economicpotential of the northwest mountainous province of Son La.

Back in 2014, when La Van Phong had just graduated fromuniversity, the idea of ecotourism flashed across his mind. With the assistanceof like-minded friends, he established the Quynh Nhai district Ecotourism Groupin 2015, which transformed into Quynh Nhai Fishery and Ecotourism Cooperativein 2016.

“Our startup capital was only 20 million VND (870 USD). Dueto the financial shortage, we struggled to organise tours and had to hireboats. Fortunately, thanks to our considerable knowledge of local history andculture, we became tour guides at the same time we were managing theorganisation,” said Lu Van Binh, the cooperative’s deputy director.

At present, the cooperative offers several services, ranging from tourism toaquaculture and fish processing.

The sightseeing tour on the Son La hydroelectric reservoir,its signature activity, takes tourists to float alongside majestic loftymountains.

“The journey will offer you unique experiences of culture,life and cuisine of White Thai people,” Phong tells his guests.

The Temple of Lady Han, the goddess ofpeaceful aspiration, is the tour’s first destination. Sailing on the boat,tourists are lost in contemplation of the mountains in front of them. Under thereservoir bed lie Quynh Nhai district’s nine communes which were destroyed toconstruct the provincial hydroelectric power plant, leaving just two abovewater.

On an islet, tourists enjoy traditional Northwest cuisinewith grilled fishes and honey marinated chicken. On his second tour withPhong’s cooperative, Le Khac Tung, 25, found everything brand new.

“They offer new experiences in every tour. It’s exciting thatI can catch, grill and enjoy the freshness of fishes raised in the reservoir,”he told Tuoi tre (Youth) newspaper.

“We want to create jobs for people and promote localheritage,” Phong recalled of the motivation that pushed him and his other threefriends, Dieu Duc Trong, Tong Van Suong and Lu Van Binh to start the cooperative.

After two years, they had offered more than 200 tours on thehydroelectric reservoir and welcomed back several tourists.

“Being children of the land, we share with guests theknowledge of local history and culture with pride,” said Phong.

Using internet-based methods of marketing, the cooperativereaches a wide range of audiences. During festive seasons, they handle up toten groups of tourists a day.

“We encourage our friends to work for us. It was quiteoverwhelming but we kept trying to enhance our services,” he said.

In the meantime, 40 fish cages were set up, aiming to givetourists a novel culinary experience and provide Son La province’s specialtiesto the domestic market. In January, 2017, the cooperative started purchasingand processing local fishes.

“Marinated with Thai ethnic species then dried, fishes becomea special snack which is widely favored in the Northern provinces’markets. Sold at 200,000 VND (8.8 USD) per kilogram, the product has generateda good profit for us,” Phong said.  

The model combining tourism and aquaculture created jobs andsustainable income for eight cooperative members and seven other workers. Inthe future, Phong expects to expand the market for their dried fish productsand construct a complex with a restaurant, motel and local specialtiesexhibition room to enhance tourists’ experiences in the northwesternmountainous area.

Ngan Van Dua, head of the Chieng Bang Commune People’sCommittee in Quynh Nhai district, said that the Sơn La hydroelectric reservoir,72km long and 10km wide, had untapped potential as a tourist destination andfishery site. Therefore, the cooperative’s initiative has helped boost thelocal economy.

Vang A La, Secretary of the provincial Youth Union, praisedLong’s start-up as an inspiration for local youngsters. He said that the agencywould continue assisting the cooperative to access sources of capital andtourists. 

“Local potential for tourism and fisheries under thecooperative model was awakened by young people’s initiatives, contributing totransform old economic models in the province,” he added.-VNA