Hanoi (VNA) - Exploring beautifulnatural landscapes in the northeastern province of Bac Giang is a hobby of manypeople. During such trips, many visitors volunteer to join charitable activities,thus spreading good lifestyles among the community.

Located in An Lac commune, Son Dong district, theKhe Ro tourism site has been invested to develop it into a community-basedtourism model. In addition to domestic visitors, Khe Ro is also attractive to foreignvacationers. Not long ago, a delegation of 18 visitors from Italy, France, theUK, and Japan came to Khe Ro. Before their arrival, the tourists made contactwith local authorities with the hope of joining local youngsters to collectgarbage and clear paths in the tourism site as well as help people growvegetable, remove grass, and harvest crops.

Mr. Do Doan Huan, an official from the Italy’snon-governmental Voulonteers Group Trentino (GTV), said “The climate at Khe Rois mild and the scenery is gorgeous. We have been here for more than two weeks.Besides traveling, all members are excited to help local residents”.

Last May, 35 tourists from Hanoi came to Khe Roto explore the wild nature and present 50 gift packages, including electricfans, rice cookers, confectionery, books, packs of noodles, and clothes to needyhouseholds and students from difficult family backgrounds.

Student Nguyen Tien Long from the HanoiUniversity of Natural Resources and Environment said “Before going, all memberscollected money to help disadvantaged people and the initiative was got warmresponse. We are impressed by the stilt houses along with the typical bamboofences and friendly people. Presenting gifts to poor people makes our trip moremeaningful.”

At the beginning of this year, Giap Van Cuong, aresident from Tien Dinh hamlet, Que Nham commune, Tan Yen district, and hisfourth-grade son and nearly 20 other people travelled to Sa Pa in the northernmountainous province of Lao Cai. They took this occasion to present 200 giftpackages, including rice, noodles, salt, clothes, and gloves to needy studentsat Nam Sai primary school.

The most valuable thing for Cuong is after thejourney, his son could feel the hardship of students in mountainous areas. Theboy wrote that “I feel sorry for students going to school with flimsy clothesand barefoot in cold weather … I was very happy to present gifts to them in thefrosty weather.”

Le Minh Son, who pursues photography at HoangVan Thu ward in Bac Giang city and has organised many backpacking tours, sharedthat “We often go by bike to areas of beautiful landscapes, but the livingstandards of people there are difficult such as Son Dong and Luc Ngan and otherprovinces like Ha Giang, Cao Bang, and Dien Bien. Whenever we go, we spend ourown money and call for support from our relatives. Though they are small gifts,all members are excited to do meaningful deeds.”

His group celebrated Mid-Autumn festival forpoor children at Dong Cao hamlet, Thach Son commune, Son Dong district, andpresented an electric generator to the local People’s Committee along withclothes and books for needy students in Son Hai commune, Luc Ngan district.

Travelling and doing charity have become apopular trend among youngsters. Participants are various, including publicservants and retirees, but the biggest ones are students and young people. Thebusiest time is Tet holiday and major national celebrations such as NationalReunification Day (April 30), National Day (September 2), Hung King commemorationday, and in summer. Popular places are underprivileged, mountainous and ethnicminority areas.

Mr. Duong Van Ha, Director of Tan A Dong TourismCompany in Bac Giang, said the company used to host tours in combination withpresenting gifts to poor children in the mountainous region. Such activitiesshould be encouraged as they help tourists share difficulties with localresidents, and experience unforgettable charitable activities to have moremotivation to engage in similar events in the coming time. 

He suggested tourists make earlier contact withlocal authorities for consultations and assistance. It depends on theresidential situation of each tourism site that visitors will choose suitablevoluntary charitable activities.-VNA