Dr. Vu Nam, from the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality (National Economics University), and an expert on the ST4SD Project (Helvetas Vietnam), shared with reporters from the Tin Tuc va Dan Toc newspaper the core elements that contribute to success, from preserving traditional architecture and empowering communities to developing sustainable tourism linked to digital transformation.
Dr. Vu Nam, Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality (National Economics University), expert in the ST4SD Project.
Knowing that you are currently an expert for the Swiss Tourism for Sustainable Development Project in Vietnam, helping to prepare the application for Lo Lo Chai village (Lung Cu, Tuyen Quang) to achieve the title of " World's Best Tourist Village 2025," could you tell us how long the consultation process for preparing the application for Lo Lo Chai village takes and what criteria are the main focus?
The Swiss Tourism for Sustainable Development in Vietnam (ST4SD) project and I personally were honored to support the former Ha Giang province (now Tuyen Quang) and Lo Lo Chai village in advising and preparing the application for and achieving the title of World's Best Tourist Village 2025 by the World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism).
Our consultation and dossier preparation process took approximately two months, from March to May 2025. The consultation and dossier preparation process for the village had to adhere closely to the content criteria and formal requirements of UN Tourism.
Traditional clothing is frequently worn by the Black Lo Lo people in Lung Cu, especially during festivals, holidays, and important occasions. Photo: Nam Thai/TTXVN
In terms of content, the evaluation of a tourist village is based on nine specific criteria groups, including: Cultural and natural resources; Promotion and preservation of cultural resources; Sustainable economic development; Sustainable social development; Sustainable environmental development; Tourism development and integration into the value chain; Governance and priorities for tourism; Infrastructure and connectivity; and Health, safety and security.
Each of these sets of criteria has smaller criteria for evaluation. These sets of criteria need to be evaluated objectively, accompanied by clear and specific evidence.
During the application process, what was your impression of the cooperation from the local people and authorities? In your opinion, what are the key factors contributing to the success of the Lo Lo Chai community tourism project?
It can be said that the ST4SD project and its team of experts would not have been able to complete their mission without the thoughtful and enthusiastic support of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the province, the former People's Committee of Dong Van district, Lung Cu commune, the Tourism Management Board, and the community of Lo Lo Chai village.
Panoramic view of Lo Lo Chai. Photo: Vietnam National Administration of Tourism.
The process of surveying and communicating with authorities and residents to gather information and evidence required for each criterion was carried out smoothly.
Although there are still some areas that need improvement in tourism management, it can be said that Lo Lo Chai's success in receiving the UN Tourism award is due to the harmonious combination of many factors related to sustainable development, including: the preservation of traditional cultural values, especially the unique traditional rammed earth house architecture, as well as other intangible cultural values such as brocade weaving, ancestor worship associated with the bronze drum of the Lo Lo people...
These factors make Lo Lo Chai a living museum of culture for tourists; the positive contributions of tourism to socio-economic development and poverty reduction in the village have been recognized.
Currently, about 80% of households in the village participate in the tourism value chain. Women are empowered and more actively involved in tourism. After 10 years of tourism development, the number of poor households in the village has decreased from 70 to only 4.
In addition, other factors such as promoting digital transformation in tourism management at the community level, using renewable energy, and implementing good practices in protecting the natural environment, safety, and security for tourists are also the basis for UN Tourism awarding Lo Lo Chai the prize.
In the coming period, at the request of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Tuyen Quang, the ST4SD project will continue to support Lo Lo Chai in building a brand identity associated with the title of "Best Tourist Village in the World" as well as supporting Tuyen Quang in developing a "Guide to Sustainable Community Tourism Destination Development" according to the UN Tourism's Best Tourist Village standards.
According to your statistics, how many villages in Vietnam have been recognized as "the best tourist villages in the world," and what should other villages focus on if they want to be honored?
As far as I know, Vietnam currently has 5 villages recognized by UN Tourism as Best Tourism Villages: Thai Hai Community Tourism Village (Thai Nguyen) recognized in 2022, Tan Hoa Village (Quang Binh, now Quang Tri) in 2023, Tra Que Vegetable Village (Quang Nam, now Da Nang) in 2024. In 2025, we will have two more villages: Lo Lo Chai and Quynh Son (Lang Son).
Stick pushing competition at the traditional festival of the Black Lo Lo ethnic group.
According to statistics from the Vietnam National Tourism Administration, we currently have approximately 300 active community-based tourism villages and hundreds more being included in development plans.
However, to achieve the title of Best Tourism Village by UN Tourism, in addition to unique tourism resources and products, villages need to focus on governance and sustainable development, balancing the three pillars of sustainable development: environment, economy, and socio-cultural aspects.
Innovative initiatives in sustainable development are always recognized and highly valued by UN Tourism when considering and awarding prizes.
Thank you very much, sir!
Source: https://baotintuc.vn/du-lich/dau-la-bi-quyet-giup-lo-lo-chai-thanh-lang-du-lich-tot-nhat-the-gioi-20251212223727354.htm
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