The new journey of Thien Phu

Following the administrative reorganization according to Resolution No. 203/2025/QH15 dated June 16, 2025, of the National Assembly, Thien Phu commune (Thanh Hoa province) was established by merging the entire natural area and population of the two communes of Nam Dong and Thien Phu.

Traditional cultural and artistic activities are carefully preserved and promoted at Thien Phu.

Nestled amidst the western mountains of Thanh Hoa province, the lives of the people here, though still fraught with challenges, are marking the beginning of a new journey.

Unleash your potential

Upon arriving at Bản Lở (Thiên Phủ commune), many are amazed by the neat and clean appearance of this highland village nestled amidst the mountains and forests. The stilt houses stand side by side, the hedges are neatly trimmed, and the small paths are covered with colorful flowers, creating a peaceful, intimate, and vibrant atmosphere. Recently, with the support of the government, many households in the village have begun to try their hand at self-managed community tourism models, notably the families of Mr. Lương Văn Hoan, Mr. Phạm Minh Độ, Mr. Hà Văn Tưởng, Mr. Len Văn Tiến, Mr. Lương Văn Kiệu, and others.

The stilt houses retain their traditional architecture but have been upgraded, renovated, fitted with air conditioning, and had new restrooms built. What's special about Bản Lở is that the homestays don't display any signs. Visitors usually ask for accommodation by the owner's name; if a house is fully booked, they are directed to another. The locals are also willing to help each other with welcoming guests and preparing meals when there are large groups. The people have chosen to work together in tourism so that everyone benefits.

What's special about Bản Lở is that the homestays don't display any signs. Visitors usually ask for accommodation by the owner's name; if a house is fully booked, they'll be directed to another. The locals are also willing to help each other with welcoming guests and preparing meals when there are large groups. The people have chosen to work together in tourism so that everyone can benefit.

Len Van Tien, one of the homestay owners in the village, recalled: "In the past, few people knew about Ban Lo. Then tourists came, saw the beautiful scenery, and found the people friendly, so they introduced it to each other. Gradually, more and more groups of tourists came to the village to stay and experience mountain life..."

Besides its pristine natural landscapes, Thien Phu also boasts a system of mountains, forests, streams, terraced rice fields, and natural caves such as Nang Mon Cave. The locality is gradually developing experiential tourism products such as trekking through the forest, exploring caves, experiencing bamboo shoot harvesting, catching stream fish, participating in highland markets, or engaging in folk art exchanges with the Thai and Muong ethnic groups.

Along with exploiting its natural landscape advantages, Thien Phu is gradually reviving cultural values ​​that seemed to be fading away, contributing to the lasting appeal of community tourism. In Ban Lot Doi, the rhythmic clicking of looms, after many years of absence, now resounds regularly every day. The vibrant colors of Thai ethnic brocade fabrics are gradually returning to daily life.

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Ms. Ha Thi Huyen, head of the traditional brocade weaving group in the village, said that weaving has been associated with Thai women for many generations, but the demands of making a living and the changes of modern life have put the traditional craft at risk of disappearing. In 2019, the locality opened a class to revive the weaving craft, but the Covid-19 pandemic caused the plan to be abandoned. By 2025, after the implementation of a two-tiered local government system, the restoration of the traditional craft will continue to be implemented.

The weaving group was established with 40 members, receiving support from the government and the project promoting gender equality through improved economic efficiency in agricultural production and tourism development (GREAT). Artisans from Mai Chau (Phu Tho) were invited to directly instruct the local people on weaving techniques. These handcrafted woven products are carried by tourists from all over the country, representing the pride of the people of Thien Phu highlands.

Alongside this, community cultural spaces are being strongly revived. Traditional dances such as the "khap," "khua luong," and "mua sap"; and folk games like throwing the ball, archery, and tug-of-war, which were once closely associated with the spiritual life of the Thai and Muong people and often appeared in festivals, are now becoming cultural products serving experiential tourism.

Change your way of thinking and doing things.

Thien Phu commune currently has a natural area of ​​over 147km² with nearly 6,500 inhabitants, of which the Thai ethnic group accounts for over 65%, and the Muong ethnic group nearly 29%. The area still retains its relatively intact ecological landscape and many unique traditional customs and practices, creating favorable conditions for developing community tourism associated with cultural preservation and rural development.

However, given its origins as a remote and disadvantaged commune, the Chairman of the People's Committee of Thien Phu Commune, Phan Van Dai, frankly acknowledged that relying solely on external support would make it difficult to achieve a real transformation. After implementing the two-tiered local government model, the commune's Party committee and government chose a different approach: developing from internal resources, using culture as a foundation, and placing the people at the center. Through serious discussions, tourism was identified as a "lever" for economic development, but not mass tourism; rather, responsible tourism deeply rooted in national identity.

Besides exploiting the natural landscape, the commune focuses on building a diverse and distinctive tourism product ecosystem, ranging from homestay experiences in stilt houses, exploring Nang Mon Cave and other natural caves, trekking through the forest, to participating in agricultural production with the local people.

Local OCOP products and distinctive agricultural products are also being studied for integration into the tourism value chain, so that each visitor leaving Thien Phu carries with them a piece of the mountains and forests. Commune leaders regularly visit the grassroots level, thinking, discussing, and working together with the people. Simultaneously, the locality has significantly changed its communication methods. Previously, the name Thien Phu was unfamiliar to most tourists, but now images of this area are appearing more and more on social media, created by the local people themselves, helping to bring Thien Phu closer to the community.

The commune government has been implementing its tasks in accordance with the spirit of being close to the people, understanding their needs, and serving them. The commune has effectively promoted the role of its leaders while mobilizing collective strength in a spirit of solidarity for a common goal: developing the economy, culture, and society to improve the quality of life for its people.

Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Ha Huy Bien Commune

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Looking back on a year of implementing the two-tiered local government system, Comrade Ha Huy Bien, Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Commune Party Committee, assessed: “The commune government has been carrying out its tasks in accordance with the spirit of being close to the people, understanding their needs, and serving them. The commune has effectively promoted the role of the leader, while mobilizing collective strength in a spirit of solidarity for the common goal: developing the economy, culture, and society to improve the quality of life for the people.”

Thien Phu's journey still faces many challenges ahead, as transportation infrastructure needs continued investment, the market for local handicrafts and agricultural products needs to be expanded, and the tourism skills of the local people need to be improved and professionalized. In addition, the locality is striving to seek the participation of businesses and professional organizations to link and elevate tourism products. Most importantly, however, the belief, unity, and determination being rekindled in each village are transforming valuable local resources into a driving force for development, creating a solid foundation for the aspirations of this land to rise.

THI PHONG

Source: https://nhandan.vn/hanh-trinh-moi-cua-thien-phu-post971973.html