Unveiling natural beauty of Dong Chau - Khe Nuoc Trong

Amidst the vast green Truong Son range, where many mysteries are hidden, Chau Cave - Khe Nuoc Trong - Duong Cam Waterfall emerges as a precious gem of the Central region. The land that once belonged to the ancient Quang Binh province, now under the administrative boundary of Quang Tri, still retains its pristine beauty and unique ecological treasures, opening up great opportunities for sustainable tourism development associated with the community.

Dong Chau - Khe Nuoc Trong covers more than 22,000 hectares, is one of the areas richest in biological resources of the Truong Son mountain range. This land was once recognized as the "green roof" of Quang Binh, and after administrative boundary adjustment, has now become a natural treasure of Quang Tri.

The ecosystem here is extremely rich. Up to 1,030 plant species and 357 vertebrate species have been recorded, many of which are endemic and rare in Vietnam. Evergreen forests, limestone forests, grasslands and interwoven stream systems have created a rare pristine space. Ha Tinh langur, red-shanked douc, Asian bear, Truong Son muntjac... are species that represent the diversity of the great forest.

The landscape is also impressive with majestic waterfalls and streams. Duong Cam waterfall resounds like a melody, Toc Tien waterfall is soft, Cong Troi waterfall is majestic, along with Bung, Vang, Dan, Tien streams... have created a series of vivid landscapes. In the rainy season, the water splashes white foam, flows turbulently; in the dry season, the stream is clear and gentle, reflecting the sky and the color of leaves. That space attracts those who want to find pure nature to relax or experience discovery activities.

In addition to its natural value, Dong Chau - Khe Nuoc Trong is also associated with history and culture. The vestiges of the Ho Chi Minh Trail West branch, Ho village, Bai Dan, and the communication system recall a fierce war time. The Bru Van Kieu community in the buffer zone still preserves many customs, festivals, cuisine, and folk performing arts, creating cultural depth for the mountainous landscape.

The People's Committee of Quang Tri province has approved the Project for developing eco-tourism, resorts and entertainment in Dong Chau - Khe Nuoc Trong. The investor is the Dong Chau - Khe Nuoc Trong Nature Reserve Management Board, under the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Quang Tri province, the unit assigned to both protect the forest and organize the implementation of tourism projects.

The total investment of the project is 343.5 billion VND, most of which is mobilized from socialized capital. This investment is aimed at building environmentally friendly infrastructure, developing unique tourism products, promoting images, training human resources and maintaining conservation work.

The project identifies 11 component projects, notably 4 priority projects: Environmental Education and Service Center, Khe Nuoc Trong Ecological Experience Area, Cong Troi - Suoi Tien Ecological Area and Rao Chan Ecological Entertainment Site. These are core projects, both attracting tourists and helping to form sustainable tourism products.

Besides, there is Khe Dan Forest Ecological Park, Khe Cau Medicinal Herbs Experience Point and many specialized tourist routes designed according to landscape characteristics.

The tour system and routes have been researched, in which the Khe Nuoc Trong - Toc Tien waterfall - Cong Troi waterfall route is suitable for trekking and bathing in the stream, the Khe Nuoc Trong - Khe Bung - Khe Dan route is for adventurous experiences; the Duong Cam waterfall - Suoi Tien route is suitable for relaxation and enjoying the peaceful space. These routes are closely connected, creating a seamless journey of discovery in the middle of the green forest.

According to calculation, each year when the projects are in stable operation, Dong Chau - Khe Nuoc Trong can bring in at least 10 billion VND in revenue from eco-tourism, accommodation and experience services. In addition, revenue from forest environment rental tax is expected to reach about 200 million VND/year. This is an important resource to both maintain conservation work and reinvest in infrastructure and the community.

The project is expected to generate a stable source of revenue from eco-tourism, including entrance tickets, accommodation services, experiences, and especially revenue from forest environmental services, when put into operation.

A major highlight in the development orientation of Dong Chau - Khe Nuoc Trong is the participation of the community. The Bru Van Kieu people in the buffer zone have not only lived there for a long time but have also become the central factor in the tourism value chain. They will provide homestay services, prepare food, act as tour guides, perform cultural performances, and directly benefit from tourism revenue and "forest money".

When the community is put in the subject position, tourism not only brings income but also contributes to raising awareness of forest protection. Traditional stilt houses become unique accommodations, local dishes become attractive culinary experiences, and folk stories become attractive materials for tourists to learn more about local life.

Developing tourism associated with livelihoods helps the Bru Van Kieu community benefit directly, reduces pressure on forest resource exploitation, and at the same time fosters love and responsibility for the living environment. Each stilt house becomes a unique stopover, each local dish becomes a unique tourism product, and each folk story becomes a source of inspiration for a journey of discovery.

The project also focuses on applying technology and developing smart tourism models. Tourists can learn, book services and connect to experiences easily through digital platforms. The infrastructure is environmentally friendly, in harmony with the landscape and minimizes the impact on the ecosystem.

With large investment capital, a systematic plan and the cooperation of the community, Dong Chau - Khe Nuoc Trong can become a typical ecological destination of the Central region. This is where nature is preserved, the community benefits and tourists can immerse themselves in the complete pristine of the Truong Son mountains.

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