(VOVworld) – Famous tourist attractions in the northern province of Dien Bien include the Dien Bien Phu victory relic complex and villages of the local ethnic minorities. Dien Bien has been developing a model of community-based tourism to attract more tourists, which has proved effective. Thu Thuy reports:

Surrounded by mountains and milpas, Men village is a favorite community-based tourist spot for both Vietnamese and foreign visitors. Many households in the village have used their own money to upgrade and refurbish their houses, produce handicraft items, organize art performances, and restore a number of their traditional festivals to welcome visitors. The village receives 10-15 groups of tourists a month on average. They have guests every day during the Bauhinia flower festival or the anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu victory. Homestay accommodation and community-based tourism have earned the village approximately 10,000 USD a year, considerably improving villagers’ lives. Quang Van Thuong, a local officer, said: “Local roads were not upgraded until we built this cultural tourism village. Revenues from tourism have improved our lives significantly. Tourists are treated to Thai traditional art performances and dishes and some try on our traditional costume.”

Things have changed for the better in Phieng Loi hamlet too. Phieng Loi has used this model for the last 10 years. Villager Quang Van Muon said: “Tourists can prepare meals and receive guests with the local villagers. Villagers donate part of their income to a fund to reward excellent students at the end of the year.”

Deputy director Doan Van Tri of the Dien Bien Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism says the province has invested in upgrading infrastructure in 10 other cultural villages on the province’s tourism route. The goal is to help these villages get 10-15% of all visitors to the province every year. Mr. Tri said: “We are upgrading the villages of the Thai, Mong, and Kho Mu to create diverse tourism products. Despite limited financial resources, progress has been made. We hope that these cultural villages will lure more tourists to Dien Bien.”

The community-based tourism development model not only improves the lives of local people but also preserves Dien Bien province’s ethnic culture.