Lang students with the aspiration to develop sustainable tourism for their homeland

- Surpassing many projects at the Provincial Startup Festival for students in 2025 , a group of students from the Provincial Boarding High School for Ethnic Minorities (DTNT) has won first prize with the Thong Dong Homestay project. This result is not only a simple achievement but also demonstrates the creative entrepreneurial spirit and responsibility to the homeland and community of the young generation.

The leaders of the Department of Education and Training awarded the first prize to the group of students implementing the Thong Dong Homestay Project at the Provincial Startup Festival for students in 2025.

The Thong Dong Homestay project was carried out by 5 dynamic students of class 11A1, Provincial Ethnic Minority High School, including: Duong Quynh Chi, Vi Gia Thanh, Duong Vu Dieu Linh, Bang Thi Vuong, and Hoang Huong Nhai. The project was put into pilot operation in Lang Ben area, Huu Lien commune, based on the potential of natural tourism and indigenous culture, providing accommodation services , and experiencing the cultural life of the ethnic people of Huu Lien commune for tourists. The students developed the project in the direction of exploiting community - ecological - cultural tourism, to promote the image, natural landscape and unique cultural beauty of this locality.

Vi Gia Thanh, Project Team Leader, shared about the group's goals: We see Huu Lien commune as a tourist destination with great potential, but tourism needs to go hand in hand with conservation. Thong Dong Homestay was established not only for business but also to develop an environmentally friendly tourism model, associated with preserving the cultural identity of the Tay and Nung ethnic groups. We want tourists, especially domestic students, to come here not only to 'check-in' but also to learn and understand more deeply about the lives of the people of Lang.

As the name suggests, when coming to Homestay Thong Dong, visitors can embark on a journey of leisurely experience of people, culture, and nature through participating in unique activities such as: visiting Dong Lam grassland, Nong Dung lake, Khe Dau waterfall; learning Then singing, Tinh lute; embroidering ethnic costumes; experiencing making traditional culinary dishes (pumpkin cake, black banh chung...); participating in folk games... This is the core value that makes Homestay Thong Dong different from traditional resort models.

Instead of just being a stopover, Homestay Thong Dong has created a closed and sustainable "value chain". First of all, with the local community, the people of Huu Lien commune are directly involved in tourism activities, from cooking, guiding tours to providing agricultural products and specialties. Thereby, not only helping people increase their income but also raising awareness of preserving traditional cultural values for the people of Huu Lien commune and tourists. On the other hand, tourists can live close to nature, understand customs and receive different spiritual values compared to mass tourism. As for each member of the group, through research, collecting practical information, communication and promotion of homestay, they have had the opportunity to learn many useful skills and experience real emotions on the journey of starting a tourism business right from when they were still in school.

Ms. Hoang Thi Thu, the group's instructor, said: What I am most proud of is not that the students won first prize, but rather that they have a sense of responsibility towards their homeland. They did not just stop at ideas on paper but turned them into reality, actively communicated and received positive feedback. This is the most valuable practical lesson they have learned.

At the same time, the students have focused on communicating and promoting the homestay through social networking platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, YouTube with content created by local people and the students themselves. From there, they bring to these social networking platforms real shares, videos, and images, contributing to attracting tourists. In particular, Thong Dong Homestay also organizes many activities to protect the environment and support households in difficult circumstances, contributing to spreading the spirit of responsibility, towards a green, friendly and sustainable tourism model.

Group of students exchange and discuss about the project

Duong Quynh Chi, a member of the project team, said: Through this project, we hope to spread our deep love for our homeland Lang Son and the spirit of daring to think, daring to do, daring to start a business from a young age. We believe that with just ideas and determination, we can create positive changes for the community.

They hope to receive extensive cooperation with many units, households and tourism cooperatives in Huu Lien commune to organize accommodation, culinary activities, experience local culture and operate and develop Thong Dong Homestay more effectively in the future.

In addition, the group aims to cooperate with secondary schools, high schools and universities in and outside the province to organize study tours and cultural experiences for students. In addition, some travel agencies and local media groups are also potential partners of the group in introducing and promoting Huu Lien commune, contributing to promoting sustainable community tourism development.

Mr. Tran The Kien, Director of Thien Phu Construction Trading Company Limited, Chairman of the Provincial Investment and Startup Club, member of the Organizing Committee and Jury of the Provincial Startup Festival for Students in 2025, commented: The Thong Dong Homestay project has demonstrated the love for the homeland and the diligence of students in exploring the tourism potential of the province. This model not only contributes to the development of green tourism and sustainable tourism but also plays a social role, contributing to cultural preservation and creating jobs for rural people. The fact that students can plan communication, business, design detailed experience schedules for tourists and implement homestay activities with initial effectiveness has shown the feasibility and vision of the project.

The Thong Dong Homestay project of the students of the Provincial Ethnic Minority High School shows that the young generation is not only the successors but also the ones who are ready to take action to develop the economy and preserve the national culture. The project has contributed to inspiring and encouraging other young people to boldly start a business associated with social responsibility and the spirit of dedication to the homeland and country.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/hoc-sinh-xu-lang-voi-khat-vong-phat-trien-du-lich-ben-vung-cho-que-huong-5066055.html