Discover community tourism in Sin Thau

The province of Dien Bien has identified and prioritized the development of tourism as a key economic sector. This includes developing tourism based on the cultural space of ethnic groups and unique ecological landscapes. In Sin Thau commune – a border area between Vietnam, Laos, and China, home to the Ha Nhi ethnic group – the potential and advantages of community-based tourism are being exploited to attract tourists for experiential exploration.

Tourists take souvenir photos with the Ha Nhi ethnic people in front of their traditional rammed-earth houses.

On the Dien Bien tourism map, Sin Thau is considered one of the localities with all the necessary conditions for developing community tourism. First and foremost is its advantageous location; Sin Thau is the only commune in the province situated at the tri-border junction of Vietnam, Laos, and China, home to border marker number 0 (the boundary marker marking the intersection of the three countries). Recently, the border gate and the A Pa Chai flagpole have gradually become new symbols of the westernmost point of the country, contributing to increased attraction for tourists who enjoy exploring the border landscape. Along with its unique location, Sin Thau possesses pristine natural resources, including a nature reserve, majestic mountain ranges, waterfalls, and springs – crucial factors for the development of ecotourism and trekking. The Sin Thau commune Party Committee has set the goal of effectively exploiting its potential and advantages, and gradually transforming tourism into a sustainable livelihood for the local people.

One of Sin Thau's most valuable assets in developing community tourism is its traditional cultural space. After the merger of the three communes of Sin Thau, Sen Thuong, and Leng Su Sin, the Sin Thau commune area expanded to over 51,000 hectares, comprising 21 villages and hamlets with more than 6,000 inhabitants. This expanded development space has led to greater diversity in the cultures of various ethnic groups. While previously Sin Thau was almost exclusively dominated by the Ha Nhi people, its population structure and composition have now changed with the presence of many other ethnic groups such as the Mong, Thai, and Kinh. This opens up opportunities for the locality to develop a more colorful, rich, and attractive community tourism experience. In particular, the living space of the Ha Nhi people, with their traditional houses, festivals, dances, vibrant costumes, and culinary culture, remains relatively well-preserved.

Homestay spaces, imbued with local character, create a unique appeal for community tourism in Sin Thau.

In recent years, some households in villages such as A Pa Chai, Ta Ko Khu, Ta Mieu, etc., have renovated their homes to accommodate tourists; combining this with organizing experiential activities such as visiting the A Pa Chai flagpole, conquering milestone 0, exploring traditional festivals, etc., to serve visitors. More importantly, the mindset of the people has changed; from purely agricultural production, many households have proactively sought opportunities for development through tourism.

In A Pa Chai village, Mr. Chu Khai Phu boldly renovated his family's traditional earthen house into a homestay. Initially, it was just a few simple bedding sets and authentic local meals to welcome guests from afar. Gradually, the number of visitors increased. He shared: "Before, we only worked in the fields, and our income was unstable. When we started community tourism, we had guests, so we not only earned extra income but also got to introduce the culture of our ethnic group."

The beauty of the traditional Ha Nhi ethnic costumes has become a highlight in the development of community tourism in Sin Thau.

Over the past period, local authorities have played a crucial role in disseminating and implementing resolutions, mobilizing people to change their mindset, supporting tourism skills training, and gradually forming initial models. Mr. Dang Thanh Huy, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Council of Sin Thau commune, stated: “The commune has identified tourism development, especially community tourism, as one of the important directions to effectively exploit the potential and advantages of the locality. Based on this, the commune focuses on disseminating information and mobilizing people to change their mindset and gradually participate in tourism; at the same time, it emphasizes preserving and promoting the cultural identity of ethnic groups, in conjunction with protecting the ecological landscape. Along with investing in infrastructure and leveraging the advantages of border gates and destinations such as Milestone 0 and the A Pa Chai flagpole, the locality is striving to gradually develop more homestays and community tourism destinations, creating sustainable livelihoods and improving the lives of the people.”

In Sin Thau, respected community leaders are becoming key figures in preserving customs, transmitting culture, and spreading the spirit of community-based tourism among the people. Mr. Ly Xuyen Phu, from A Pa Chai village, said: “We educate and encourage villagers to be aware of the importance of preserving their way of life, customs, and ethnic identity to develop tourism. At the same time, people participate in training courses and learn from each other. Experienced individuals are also willing to guide and share their knowledge with other households on how to welcome guests and provide services, so that everyone can develop together and create the image of a friendly, culturally rich community-based tourism village.”

Despite positive signs, community-based tourism in Sin Thau is still in its initial stages, facing numerous challenges: limited infrastructure, inconsistent services, and a need to improve the tourism skills of the local people. However, with a change in mindset, the proper awakening of cultural identity, combined with unique advantages and clear direction from the resolution, this westernmost region of the country is poised for a breakthrough. And on this journey of community-based tourism, each resident of Sin Thau acts as a "guide," telling the story of their village through their daily lives and the cultural values ​​preserved through generations.

According to Dien Bien Phu Newspaper

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/kham-pha-du-lich-cong-dong-o-sin-thau-a481252.html