In recent years, with guidance and support from the Provincial Party Committee, the Provincial People’s Committee, and local authorities, Huu Lung’s tourism development efforts have seen considerable progress.

Coordinated leadership and planning

Following the Provincial People’s Committee’s decision approving the Lang Son Tourism Development Plan up to 2030, Huu Lung District launched its own implementation plan for the period of 2022-2025.

The district set several specific targets, including attracting over 200,000 visitors - of whom more than 100,000 will stay overnight by 2025 - and over 300,000 visitors by 2030, with more than 150,000 overnight stays. Employment in tourism is expected to reach over 300 workers by 2025 and over 500 by 2030, with more than 60% trained to meet professional standards.

Panoramic view of Huu Lien Community Tourism Village from above

Mr. Tran Quoc Phong, Vice Chairman of the Huu Lung District People’s Committee, shared that the district has concentrated investment funds to develop and upgrade socio-economic infrastructure, which has facilitated the efficient utilization of its tourism potential. Between 2022 and 2024, the district balanced its budget with national target programs and mobilized socialized resources to build tourism infrastructure.

As of now, Huu Lung has four provincial-standard tourist sites: Yen Thinh Community Tourism Site, Huu Lien Community Tourism Site, Bac Le Temple in Tan Thanh Commune, and Quan Giam Sat Temple in Hoa Lac Commune, alongside 16 provincially ranked heritage sites. Among these, Dong Lam Scenic Landscape in Huu Lien Commune was recognized as a provincial heritage site in 2021. In 2024, “Dong Lam - Huu Lien Tourism” and 19 tourism service providers in Huu Lien Commune were certified to use the trademark "Dong Lam - Huu Lien Tourism."

These efforts mark the district's commitment to enhancing tourism infrastructure, promoting Huu Lung’s unique cultural and natural sites, and fostering sustainable economic growth through tourism development.

Diversifying Tourism Products

To effectively promote tourism development, Huu Lung District has focused on reviewing, evaluating, and updating plans for key tourist areas. The district aims to encourage and leverage its unique tourism products that have competitive advantages. Alongside this, Huu Lung has prioritized investment in tourism infrastructure, promoted tourism marketing, attracted investors, and encouraged social engagement in the tourism sector.

With these concentrated efforts, Huu Lung now offers a range of distinctive tourism products. Some popular options include adventurous rock climbing activities in Yen Thinh and Yen Son communes, and eco-tourism experiences combined with agricultural products, primarily in communes like Dong Tan, Cai Kinh, Hoa Lac, Yen Son, and Yen Thinh. Notably, farmstay tourism has flourished with two standout examples: Lang Son Agricultural Tourism Cooperative - Dong Tan Rainbow Farm and Dong Tan Agricultural Cooperative - The Valley Farm, both located in Dong Tan Commune. Spiritual tourism is also a highlight, drawing many visitors to sites such as Bac Le Temple, Ke Keng Pass in Tan Thanh Commune, Quan Giam Sat Temple, Chau Luc in Hoa Lac Commune, Suoi Ngang Temple in Hoa Thang Commune, and Phu Vi Temple in Ho Son Commune.

Mr. Hoang Vu, owner of Son Thuy Homestay in Huu Lien Commune, shared that the beautiful natural scenery of Huu Lien has inspired his family to establish a homestay business that consistently attracts many visitors. To meet visitor demands, he has expanded and upgraded various amenities and participated in training sessions to enhance management and service skills, aiming to meet ASEAN standards. This continuous improvement has helped draw more tourists to his homestay and to Huu Lien in general.

UNESCO expert survey at Dong Lam Tourist Site, Huu Lien Commune, Huu Lung District (Photo: Tuyet Mai)

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hue from Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province, shared her experience: “I’ve visited Lang Son many times, primarily for New Year and year-end worship trips. This past summer, at the recommendation of friends, I took my family to experience ecotourism at the Huu Lien Community Eco-Tourism Village in Huu Lung District.”

Along with that, Huu Lung district also strengthens tourism cooperation with localities in the province to form tourist routes such as: Huu Lung - Chi Lang tourist route: Spiritual cultural tourism associated with the ritual of spirit mediumship: Bac Le temple, Tan Thanh commune - Suoi Ngang temple, Hoa Thang commune, Huu Lung district - Mo Ba temple, Chau Bat temple, Chi Lang district; Huu Lung - Lang Son city tourist route; spiritual cultural tourism along National Highway 1A: Bac Le temple, Tan Thanh commune - Quy Mon temple, Dong Mo town, Chi Lang district - Ky Cung temple, Ta Phu, Thanh pagoda, Lang Son city. Huu Lung - Bac Son community eco-tourism route: Huu Lien commune community eco-tourism village - Quynh Son community cultural tourism village, Bac Quynh commune, Bac Son district - Vu Lang commune community eco-tourism, Bac Son district.

Dong Lam - Green grassland attracts tourists

One of the most attractive tourist destinations with beautiful and special landscapes in Huu Lung district is Dong Lam grassland in Huu Lien commune. Coming to Dong Lam, visitors will be overwhelmed by a vast grassland with a beautiful landscape of "mountains and rivers". Dong Lam grassland is surrounded by majestic limestone mountains with an average height of about 600 m and the flora and fauna of Huu Lien primeval forest. Dong Lam has two seasons, dry season and wet season. Each season has its own unique features, giving visitors different experiences every time they return.

Tourists experience rafting at Dong Lam Lake, Huu Lien Commune, Huu Lung District (Photo: Tuyet Mai)

Mr. Nguyen Tuan Viet, a tourist from Hanoi, shares: “I have visited Dong Lam during two different seasons, and I was amazed at how the same place can offer two distinct, picturesque landscapes. From April to September, the water rises, covering the grasslands and transforming the Dong Lam prairie into a serene lake nestled among mountains. During this season, I enjoyed an exciting raft ride across the water. From October to March, the prairie dries up, revealing lush green grasslands. We camped out, watched white horses grazing leisurely, and had the chance to go horseback riding—it was incredibly peaceful.”

The unique beauty of Dong Lam has significantly boosted local tourism. Recently, local authorities, alongside the community in Huu Lien Commune, have worked on establishing a refined, modern tourism environment that respects and preserves traditional culture. Many households have seized the opportunity to start homestay businesses, adapting their homes with beautiful decor and comfortable amenities. Additionally, the cuisine of Huu Lien is both diverse and reflective of the local culture. Dishes are prepared with care, following traditional recipes that give each dish a unique flavor, leaving a lasting impression on visitors. This balance between natural beauty, cultural preservation, and community-led tourism development has positioned Huu Lien and the Dong Lam prairie as must-visit destinations in Lang Son Province.

Tourists come to visit, experience and camp at Dong Lam grassland, Huu Lien commune, Huu Lung district in the dry season

With unique and attractive tourism potential, not only Huu Lien but also other community tourism destinations in Huu Lung district are increasingly attracting many units, organizations, and tourism companies to invest and build tourism services such as camping, boating, attracting a large number of tourists to visit and experience. It can be seen that tourism is creating changes in the economic structure of communes, increasing income for people.

Mr. Phan Hong Tien, Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Secretary of the District Party Committee, Chairman of the District People's Council, said: Currently, Huu Lung district is continuing to promote activities and support investors in tourism development areas in the locality. At the same time, focusing investment resources on developing community tourism destinations in a civilized, modern, high-quality direction, maximizing potential and strengths while still preserving and conserving the unique traditional features of the people and nature here. To promote tourism in the district, on November 15 and 16, the district will organize the Dong Lam Grassland Festival in Huu Lung district in 2024. This is an important cultural event contributing to promoting and advertising cultural values ​​and tourism products to attract tourists inside and outside the district. Through the activities at the festival, it will be an opportunity to promote and introduce the potential and advantages of community tourism, eco-tourism and policies to attract investment in tourism development in Huu Lung district.

Thanh Huyen