From rammed-earth houses in Khe Tien and Atlantic Giant pumpkins weighing more than 100kg in Cao Son to highland and border-area experience routes, Hoanh Mo is adding new pieces to its tourism offering while working to connect them into increasingly complete visitor journeys.
In Cao Son, flower gardens and the Atlantic Giant pumpkin model are adding new agricultural experiences. Khe Tien, meanwhile, attracts visitors with star anise forests, Dao culture, herbal baths and community-based accommodation. Huong Hoi Que Homestay, run by Duong Phuc Thim’s family in Khe Tien and featuring traditional rammed-earth architecture, has welcomed around 100-200 tourist arrivals per month. When relaxation is combined with trekking, medicinal plants, cuisine and local culture, the journey gains greater depth and can encourage visitors to stay longer.
Beyond simply connecting destinations, product value is further enhanced when experiences are organised into a complete journey. Under a JICA-supported project, a pilot tour launched in Khe Tien in 2026 combines trekking through an ancient tea forest, learning about medicinal plants, harvesting star anise, making “cooc mo” cakes, soaking feet in herbal water and preparing dinner with local residents. Following trial runs with experts, businesses and Japanese visitors, the locality has continued refining operating procedures, training residents, and standardising accommodation and services.
Looking further ahead, the product space can be expanded through the Hoanh Mo - Dong Zhong “two countries - one destination” route, which the locality has registered for implementation in 2026. On the Vietnamese side, routes have been developed such as Hoanh Mo Border Gate - weekly market - Khe Van - Cao Ly, or Hoanh Mo Border Gate - Cao Son - Cao Ly. On the Dong Zhong side, visitors can experience stand-up paddleboarding, hot-spring bathing, agriculture and border-area cuisine. The route can also connect Dong Zhong - Hoanh Mo - Binh Lieu with Van Don, Bai Tu Long and Ha Long Bay.
To make these connections increasingly complete, Hoanh Mo still needs further investment in several areas. These include upgrading transport infrastructure, adding parking areas, providing tourism skills training for local residents, standardising services and developing a distinctive story for each product. These are necessary links in creating better-connected destinations and more attractive, in-depth visitor journeys.
