Bom Bo: A heroic land striving to become a new economic bright spot

Following administrative unit restructuring, the Bom Bo area in Dong Nai province has seen its development space expanded, creating favorable conditions to simultaneously leverage its three pillars: agriculture, culture, and ecology. With its distinct resource advantages and the engagement of both the local government and the community, Bom Bo aims to achieve double-digit tourism growth and become a new beacon on the rural tourism map of Dong Nai and the entire Southeastern region.

Bom Bo aspires to become a new highlight on the nation’s rural and cultural tourism map. Photo: Ngoc Thuan

How much rice, that much devotion…

During the resistance war against the U.S., Bom Bo became a symbol of heroism, embodying the S’tieng people’s unwavering determination to win independence and freedom. In 1965, as the Phuoc Long – Dong Xoai Campaign entered its fiercest phase, the people of Bom Bo launched the “Pounding rice to support the troops” movement. In just three days and nights, they pounded more than five tons of rice, promptly supplying provisions for the soldiers. The deep affection and steadfast commitment of the Bom Bo villagers in serving as a solid rear base for the revolution inspired late musician Xuan Hong, who was present during the campaign, to compose the timeless song Tieng chay tren soc Bom Bo (The sound of rice-pounding pestles in Bom Bo hamlet).

Despite the many upheavals of history, the people of Bom Bo have remained loyal and steadfast, wholeheartedly placing their trust in the Party and President Ho Chi Minh. Today, alongside economic development, the Party Committee, local authorities, and residents are working together to transform Bom Bo into a cultural and historical tourist destination that can attract visitors from across the country and beyond.

From the three economic pillars, Bom Bo aims for double-digit tourism growth

Following administrative restructuring, Bom Bo commune now spans 245.9 square kilometers and is home to more than 27,000 residents representing 22 ethnic groups, with ethnic minorities accounting for 54.6 percent of the population. The commune possesses a diverse range of resources for sustainable economic development.

In the context of international economic integration and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Bom Bo is presented with a significant opportunity to transition from a traditionally agricultural commune to a multi-pillar development model that encompasses high-value agriculture, experiential tourism, and community-based cultural services.

With this orientation, the Party Committee and residents of Bom Bo have set a goal of achieving double-digit economic growth by promoting tourism development in tandem with agricultural potential and preserving ethnic cultural heritage.

The Bom Bo hamlet historical site in Bom Bo commune, Dong Nai province, has recently been recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a National Historical Site under Decision No. 3241/QĐ-BVHTTDL dated September 9, 2025 - an honor befitting a land that once left a profound mark on the resistance war against the U.S. army.

Bom Bo is home to vast plantations of industrial crops, including rubber, coffee, cashew, and pepper, as well as a variety of specialty fruits such as durian, avocado, and rambutan. Its fertile basalt soil and favorable climate conditions have contributed to the high value of local agricultural products, which serve as “living raw materials” for agricultural tourism models, including farmstays, homestays, and seasonal farming experiences. Visitors to Bom Bo not only enjoy the scenery but also participate in hands-on activities, such as farming, harvesting, and processing produce, thereby creating meaningful connections with local farmers. This endeavor enables many households to preserve traditional livelihoods while boosting income through tourism and community-based services.

Dieu Mon, a resident of Bom Bo Hamlet, shared: “I cultivate more than 0.1 ha of edible 'nhip' leaves. Besides using them for my family, I supply them to eateries serving tourists and residents in the locality.”

The S’tieng cultural preservation area in Bom Bo hamlet serves as the cultural and historical tourism hub of the commune, featuring recreations of community activities, gong performances, and traditional rituals. The sound of pestles pounding rice, once echoing through Bom Bo during the resistance war, has become a cultural and historical symbol of the S’tieng people. Gong festivals, bamboo-cooked rice, thut soup, and 'Can' wine offer authentic experiences that few places can replicate, forming a strong foundation for unique community-based cultural tourism.

Dieu Lon A, a 75-year-old resident of Bom Bo hamlet and a gong performer at the preservation area, said: “The State now supports us to participate in cultural activities such as gong performances and basket weaving. At my age, I can no longer do heavy work, but these lighter tasks help preserve the traditional culture passed down from our ancestors, while also providing me with a little extra income for my daily needs. I am thrilled and grateful.”

Dieu La, a respected community elder in Bom Bo Hamlet, noted that the Bom Bo hamlet historical site attracts visitors largely thanks to its cultural experiences; thus, preservation and promotion efforts are crucial. “Brocade weaving and basketry are invaluable traditional crafts of the S’tieng. Our generation is aging, so I hope there will be classes to pass these skills on to the youth, so they can both pursue their education and carry forward our cultural heritage, ensuring its continuity across generations.”

Apart from agriculture and culture, Bom Bo is blessed with mountains, streams, forests, and fresh air, making it ideal for green tourism activities such as trekking, camping, and ecological exploration. According to Pham Anh Tuan, Director of the Bom Bo commune integrated services center, “In the future, we hope to receive greater support from local authorities and businesses to improve ecological infrastructure, develop eco-friendly trekking routes and camping sites, and integrate them with local cultural experiences. These efforts will help create distinctive and sustainable tourism products that both drive economic growth and preserve nature and local identity.”

Youth preserving cultural identity and shaping the future

The younger generation in Bom Bo plays a crucial role: they not only protect the cultural values of their ethnic community but also lead in applying technology, connecting markets, and bringing their homeland's image closer to visitors. According to Dieu Kiet, a cultural officer at the Bom Bo commune integrated services center, S’tieng culture, rooted in festivals, gong performances, cuisine, weaving, and traditional customs, is a valuable resource for tourism development when preserved and properly promoted.

The S’tieng community in Bom Bo commune performs a cultural dance at the New Rice Celebration Festival. Photo: Truong Hien

“Locals are increasingly enthusiastic about participating in tourism activities as they see the clear economic benefits, but they still need support in communication skills, interpretation, customer service, and access to capital to develop community-based tourism models. Tourism must go hand in hand with preservation. Developing tourism must never come at the expense of cultural identity,” Dieu Kiet added.

According to Vu Long Son, Provincial Party Committee member, Secretary of the Commune Party Committee, and Chairman of the People’s Council of Bom Bo commune, the locality is focusing on improving infrastructure to enhance the quality of destinations and create favorable conditions for tourism development. The commune has also proposed investment in regional connectivity roads to support interlinked tour routes. “For the 2025-2030 period, we aim to generate both direct and indirect employment for locals, with most tourism-related job opportunities prioritized for the S’tieng community and local youth. Diversifying livelihoods will contribute to sustainable poverty reduction, helping residents become less dependent on traditional agriculture,” Son emphasized.

Bom Bo aims to achieve an average annual economic growth rate of over 10 percent by 2030. The service–tourism sector alone is expected to account for more than 15 percent of the local economy, becoming a leading industry alongside high-value agriculture.

From a heroic land etched with glorious wartime history, Bom Bo is now rising strongly on its path toward a new era of economic development. With its three foundational pillars, Bom Bo possesses rare advantages for building an integrated tourism model that harmonizes high-value agriculture, community culture, and sustainable ecology. With coordinated efforts from authorities, businesses, and the community, Bom Bo is well-positioned to become a new bright spot on the national map of rural and cultural tourism in the years ahead.

By Dao Bang – Translated by Hong Van, Minho