(VOVWORLD) - A community tourism model in the northern mountain province of Lai Chau is creating sustainable livelihoods for local ethnic minorities, increasing their income and preserving and promoting their cultural values.
 Community tourism hamlets in Lai Chau province are attracting an increasing number of visitors. |
Located at an altitude of 1,500 meters above sea level, Si Thau Chai hamlet in Tam Duong district is an ideal destination for visitors to enjoy the majestic mountain scenery and explore the rich culture of the Dao ethnic people.
With 15 households offering homestays, the hamlet can accommodate between 300 and 400 overnight guests.
Lu A Nghi, head of Si Thau Chai, said the hamlet welcomes 10,000 visitors annually.
“The peak tourism season usually falls at the end of the year and the beginning of the Lunar New Year. We encourage the locals to clean and landscape the hamlet. The homestay providers arrange their houses and facilities to welcome guests, offering unique food and traditional red Dao herbal bath services,” Chai told VOV.
Also in Tam Duong district, Lao Chai hamlet, home to Mong ethnic people, receives 13,000 visitors each year thanks to its natural landscape and the cool climate.
Local resident Cu A Ly, who is offering community tourism service, said that the hamlet has been recognized as a 3-star tourism product under the "One Commune/One Product" (OCOP) program.
His family business now offers five guest rooms along with food and beverage services, generating an annual income of 6,000 USD.
“My family began the business in 2021. In addition to basic services, we offer traditional Mong musical instruments and clothing for guests who wish to experience the local culture,” Ly elaborated.
 Thanks to community tourism, the family of Cu A Ly in Lao Chai hamlet has a stable income of 6,000 USD per year. |
To date, Lai Chau has 13 provincial-level community tourism hamlets. Last year, the province received 1.4 million visitors with revenue increasing 40% against the previous year. Half of the visitors explored community cultural tourism hamlets.
Tran Manh Hung, Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, said, “We will improve communication to mobilize people to join the government in building and promoting the values of local community tourism. We will invest more in infrastructure and support the locals in training tourism workers at community tourism sites.”
Among the 20 ethnic groups in Lai Chau, the Thai and Mong make up the majority. Five ethnic groups with low populations are the Lu, Cong, Mang, La Hu, and Si La. Their rich and diverse cultures are advantages to develop community tourism hamlets and ensure sustainable economic development towards improving local livelihoods.