Initial success
Located 16 km from the centre of Bao Lac District, Khuoi Khon Cultural Village in Kim Cuc Commune is a standout model of community tourism led by the Lo Lo people. The village, home to 101 households and nearly 500 residents, features 61 Lo Lo families living amidst the serene beauty of terraced rice fields and traditional stilt houses with yin-yang roof tiles. This picturesque setting, combined with the people’s unspoiled cultural identity, has become a major draw, particularly for international tourists.
To boost community tourism in Khuoi Khon, Cao Bang Province has implemented a project titled “Preservation of Lo Lo traditional culture linked to developing community tourism in Khuoi Khon Village”. Investments were made into roads, electricity, and telecommunications infrastructure. Village pathways were upgraded, and efforts were made to improve environmental cleanliness and aesthetics.
A spacious cultural house was constructed, serving both as a community gathering place and a venue for cultural performances. Families participating in homestay initiatives upgraded their traditional stilt houses, ensuring clean facilities for visitors. As a result, the village has experienced noticeable positive changes since embarking on community tourism.
Over the past four years, village elder Chi Viet Hai has welcomed numerous international visitors to his traditional wooden stilt house. Alongside families such as Chi Van Tong, Chi Van Chien, and Pau Van Phuong, he has ventured into the homestay business.
“My family has hosted nearly ten groups of international guests in recent months,” said Hai, welcoming us into his well-maintained home. His wife and daughter prepare traditional meals for the visitors, who also have the opportunity to engage in daily village life, learn crafts such as brocade weaving, try on traditional costumes, and enjoy cultural performances of folk songs and dances.
Thanks to the project, Hai received financial support of over 30 million VND to renovate his home and install clean sanitation facilities for tourists. He charges 100,000 VND per night and 140,000 VND for a meal, earning an additional income from tourism.
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The transport infrastructure in Khuoi Khon Hamlet is upgraded to serve tourism. |
According to Nong Van Duong, Chairman of Kim Cuc Commune People’s Committee, infrastructure improvements, cultural preservation efforts, and tourism training programmes have been instrumental in fostering community tourism. In the past three years, Khuoi Khon Cultural Village has welcomed nearly 2,000 visitors annually, with each participating homestay household earning an average of 40 million VND per year.
Linking culture preservation and tourism
To improve the livelihoods of the Lo Lo people, Cao Bang Province has effectively leveraged resources from national projects, such as Project 2086 and the National Target Programme for Socio-Economic Development in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas.
Running from 2021 to 2025, Project 2086 integrates funding into sub-projects focused on developing the socio-economic conditions of disadvantaged ethnic groups. This includes initiatives to preserve cultural heritage and link it with tourism development. Using these resources, the districts of Bao Lac and Bao Lam have improved infrastructure, such as rural roads and cultural houses, while also supporting homestay tourism and agricultural development.
Efforts to preserve Lo Lo culture include regular training in traditional crafts like weaving, embroidery, and basketry, as well as forming and maintaining local cultural performance groups. Festivals celebrating Lo Lo heritage, such as ethnic costume contests and folk music and dance events, are held annually, enriching the community’s cultural life while promoting it to visitors.
In 2024, Cao Bang allocated funds to construct 21 village cultural houses and develop 10 community tourism sites and 23 key tourist attractions in ethnic minority regions. These efforts aim to both preserve culture and promote sustainable tourism.
According to Nong Quoc Khoi, Deputy Head of the Ethnic Affairs Department of Cao Bang, integrating cultural preservation with sustainable tourism has brought significant benefits. The combination of targeted programmes, proper resource allocation, and a focus on linking cultural preservation with tourism development has enhanced livelihoods and incomes for local communities, Khoi noted.
Although progress has been made, challenges remain. Remote locations, limited funding, and a slow shift in mindset among some residents have hindered broader success. However, the Lo Lo people have gradually embraced the idea of using their cultural identity to create unique tourism products. From a tradition of isolation, they have transitioned to sharing their heritage with the world and are beginning to reap the rewards of community tourism.
