9x guy carries stream rocks to build homestay, preserving Dao ethnic identity

TPO - The young Dao ethnic man Chu Tien Thanh used borrowed money, devoted his creativity and strength to carrying rocks from the stream... to build Lung Muoi homestay, not only changing his family's economy but also contributing to awakening the tourism potential of the village.

The dream called "community tourism "

Before becoming the owner of Lung Muoi homestay (Cao Bang province), Chu Tien Thanh (born in 1992, Dao ethnic group) had completed his military service and returned to his hometown with the desire to get rich. Realizing his intention to start a business with a community tourism model, he applied to be a tour guide for tourists coming to Cao Bang.

The trips and the times of leading tourists to experience many villages have helped the Dao man open up a new vision, the potential of the community tourism model - a sustainable direction, both developing the economy and preserving the unique culture of the locality. At the same time, through each trip, he has the opportunity to acquire and learn more skills and experience in community tourism from homestay models, as well as from the comments and sharing of tourists.

“After leading tours to many places, I realized that community tourism has great potential. I decided to return to my hometown and open a homestay so that tourists can experience the unique beauty in the culture of the Dao Tien people in my hometown,” Thanh confided.

Mr. Chu Tien Thanh and tourists. Photo: NVCC

Mr. Thanh said that the land he planned to build the homestay on used to be his family’s cornfields and rice fields. It took a lot of time to analyze and convince him before he got his parents’ approval.

In 2019, the couple started construction. The homestay had just taken shape when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Tourists were absent, and difficulties were piling up. The villagers were curious, even somewhat skeptical. "They said they didn't know what kind of house Thanh built up here, how could he have guests come to visit and stay," Thanh recalled.

Fortunately, he received valuable encouragement and advice from Mr. Trieu Kim Cuong, a senior brother in Na San. Notably, the initial capital of 300 million VND did not come from the family, but from Mr. Cuong who trusted him and advanced it for construction.

With that determination and support, Lung Muoi homestay was gradually completed from July 2021 to 2022. Currently, Lung Muoi homestay has 7 rooms with a capacity of 30 guests.

Spreading values, changing villages

Mr. Chu Tien Thanh said, pursuing a resort model close to nature, Lung Muoi homestay was built from the most rustic materials such as wood, bamboo, and reed from the family's old house, with a roof covered with traditional yin-yang tiles.

The path to the homestay was paved by Mr. Thanh himself, carrying each stream stone, creating a rustic, wild beauty. Even the clothes hangers in the room were cleverly made from forest branches.

One of the highlights that Mr. Thanh invested his efforts in was building a cultural space for the Dao Tien people. On the wooden walls hung traditional costumes and indigo-dyed fabrics with beeswax patterns.

From Thanh's house, visitors can look out over the valley and admire the Phia Oac peak. Visitors can also "live" with the local culture, such as catching fish, farming, bathing in the stream, and especially experience wearing the costumes of Dao Tien women, learning how to print beeswax patterns on skirts, and embroidering unique patterns.

From wondering where to find guests, Mr. Thanh learned and worked as a tour guide for guests coming to Cao Bang, then promoted the homestay through social networks. Gradually, Lung Muoi homestay became a favorite destination. Up to now, the homestay welcomes 50 to 100 guests each month, bringing in a stable source of income.

Not only does he enrich his family, Thanh also creates jobs for the villagers such as cleaning rooms and cooking. He also buys local agricultural products such as hill chicken, local pigs, and wild vegetables to serve tourists, creating a local economic value chain.

Mr. Thanh said he is planning to join forces with other households to build Lung Muoi into a sustainable community tourism village. Although he still faces barriers from the previous generation, who are still worried about "damaging the land for growing corn and rice", he believes he will be able to convince the people, together eliminate hunger and reduce poverty, and bring the image and culture of the Dao Tien people further.

The model "Lung Muoi homestay - preserving the cultural identity of the Dao Tien ethnic group" by Mr. Chu Tien Thanh entered the top 30 finalists of the 2025 Rural Youth Startup Project competition organized by the Central Youth Union.

Source: https://tienphong.vn/chang-trai-9x-vac-da-suoi-dung-homestay-giu-gin-ban-sac-dan-toc-dao-post1789978.tpo