Preserving cultural identity
In their peaceful homes, the people of Lìa commune still diligently work with bamboo and rattan. For the Vân Kiều and Pa Kô ethnic groups, traditional musical instruments such as the bamboo mouth organ and buffalo horn horn are spiritual bridges, the voice of their hearts during festivals and gatherings. Facing the risk of fading away due to modern lifestyles, those who cherish their cultural identity remain determined to keep the flame alive and are ready to pass it on to the younger generation.
Mr. Ho Van Chon, from Ky Tang village, Lia commune, a passionate craftsman of making musical instruments such as the khen be and ta lu, expressed his wish: “I am always ready to pass on the traditional craft and teach the younger generation how to play these instruments. At the same time, the locality needs to develop traditional performing arts groups to perform for tourists. This is the most practical way to widely promote the unique cultural beauty of our ethnic group and help prevent the identity of our ancestors from being forgotten.”
Beyond simply crafting music, music lovers in the border region also introduce traditional melodies into schools and community performing arts groups. When the sounds of the Ta Lu lute, the khen be (a type of mouth organ), and the flute blend with the dances and songs by the majestic Khe Xay waterfall, it is the warmest welcome the locals send to visitors from near and far.
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| Mr. Con Thuy, from A Sau village, teaches traditional weaving to the younger generation - Photo: KS |
The efforts to preserve culture in Lìa can also be found in A Sau village through the hands of Mr. Côn Thủy - a man passionate about weaving. Having dedicated his life to weaving traditional baskets like the "A điên" and "A chói" baskets, Mr. Thủy is the one who keeps this beautiful craft from being replaced by industrial plastic products.
“In the old days, everyone knew how to weave, but now fewer people do it. I still keep the craft because the 'A Dien' is where my family gathers, and the 'A Choi' is my companion on the farm. Currently, I'm teaching my children and grandchildren to weave small baskets as souvenirs, because tourists really appreciate these handmade products,” Con Thuy confided.
Côn Thủy's idea perfectly aligns with current trends, as tourists always want to take home a piece of the "soul" of the land they visit. Exquisite woven products, imbued with the cultural stories of Lìa commune, are gradually becoming valuable souvenirs, creating job opportunities and increasing income for households right in the village.
Awakening the beauty of nature
Not far from the center of Thuan 5 village, Khe Xay waterfall appears pristine and picturesque. To get there, visitors walk along the cassava-covered hillsides, enjoying the fresh air of the border region. The waterfall has a multi-tiered structure, with crystal-clear water where you can see every pebble at the bottom. This is a priceless gift that nature has bestowed upon Lia commune. However, for this scenic spot to truly benefit the local people, the local authorities need systematic investment and the direct participation of the people themselves.
Upon his first visit, Mr. Ho Van Hanh from Ky Noi village shared: “I am very impressed with the pristine beauty, fresh air, and the hospitality of the local people. In particular, the traditional culture of the people here creates a very familiar and unique feeling. Lia has great potential for community-based tourism linked to experiencing local life. If there is more investment in roads, accommodation, and better promotion, I'm sure many more tourists will come.”
To unlock this potential, the Lìa commune authorities have identified a direction that harmoniously combines landscape, culture, and cuisine . Visitors here not only get to wade through streams and admire waterfalls, but they can also sit by the fireplace in stilt houses, enjoying sticky rice, grilled chicken, local meat, and listening to stories about this border region. Besides Khe Xay waterfall, Lìa commune has the large, clear, cool Lìa Lake, which is very suitable for developing community tourism.
Mr. Tran Dinh Dung, Chairman of the People's Committee of Lia Commune, said: “In the period 2025-2030, the commune has identified community tourism as a key focus. We are proposing a specific plan for the Khe Xay waterfall tourist site, requesting support for road construction and opening training courses on tourism for the local people. The commune also plans to open a weekly Vietnam-Laos border market to allow people from both sides to interact, sell agricultural products, woven goods, and traditional musical instruments to tourists.”
Preserving the beauty of the countryside, embracing the future.
Even more encouraging is the active participation of the younger generation in exploring the tourism potential of Lia commune. Overcoming the difficulties of this remote border region, young people here are actively applying technology to continue writing the story of their village. Videos showcasing the majestic Khe Xay waterfall, the meticulous weaving process, and the unique cuisine of the Van Kieu and Pa Ko ethnic groups are thus spreading widely on social media platforms.
A prime example of this spirit is Mr. Ho Tu Pong Ngoi from Amor village. With his keen intellect, he skillfully used images and AI technology to tell stories of the vast forests, attracting a large number of young people to participate. His tireless efforts have been recognized with numerous commendations from the Committee for Ethnic Minorities and the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee. He was also honored as one of the "Outstanding Young Faces of Quang Tri Province".
Mr. Ho Tu Pong Ngoi shared his belief: “I always think that our ancestors' culture is a treasure, but if we don't know how to introduce it, it will be forgotten. Therefore, I use film and technology to ‘digitize’ traditional values, making them more vibrant and accessible to young people. When I see young people enthusiastically learning to play musical instruments, singing, and confidently spreading the identity of their homeland on social media, I believe that community tourism in Lia will soon have a firm foothold.”
As community-based tourism develops, services such as homestays, local guides, cooking, and souvenir making will contribute to creating jobs for the local workforce. People won't need to travel far for work; they can still live well and prosper right in their homeland, drawing on the beauty of their ethnic culture. With the support of the government, the dedication of those passionate about traditional crafts and musical instruments, and the creativity of the younger generation, it is believed that community-based tourism will bring prosperity and help transform Lia commune.
Ko Kan Suong
Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/van-hoa/202606/danh-thuc-di-san-van-hoa-vung-bien-vien-a7c4196/
