Lam Dong province leverages local culture to develop community tourism.

Community-based tourism is considered a promising trend, changing the economic mindset of people in disadvantaged regions and connecting with local cultures. To ensure sustainable development of community-based tourism, what is Lam Dong province doing to exploit its cultural "gold mines"?

Community tourism in P'ró, Đơn Dương district

Cultural Heritage Region

The Lam Dong Department of Science and Technology has been tasked with "Researching and developing a community-based tourism model," which involves selecting units to implement 2-3 tourism models, including at least one model that exploits the indigenous cultural values ​​of Lam Dong. Simultaneously, the research will assess the current situation, identify potential, and propose feasible solutions for the sustainable development of community tourism in the province.

In Lam Dong, several tourism models have become well-known and highly effective, such as: the community-based tourism model at Bidoup - Nui Ba, which is a community-based ecotourism (CBET) model that improves livelihoods through education on agriculture and the environment. To help spread the cultural values ​​of the Central Highlands, the Lang Biang tourist area has collaborated with surrounding villages to develop a gong performance program in the Hundred Years Valley…

In Don Duong, there is a model of community-based tourism linked to the culture of the Churu ethnic group: exploiting the cultural values ​​of the Churu people's Gong Culture Space, traditional crafts including pottery, silver rings, weaving, and rice wine making in Lac Xuan, Tu Tra, and P'ro communes; and traditional cuisine of the indigenous people. Community-based tourism with traditional craft villages, such as Lac Lam rice paper: Visiting and learning about the handcrafted rice paper production process of families who migrated from the Kinh Bac region to Don Duong more than 30 years ago, forming the Lac Lam traditional rice paper production village, especially enjoying the grilled rice paper with shrimp paste created by the villagers and which has become a characteristic product of the craft village. Combining sightseeing tourism based on the pristine beauty of natural landscapes such as Cha Tay waterfall, Thien Thai waterfall, Chau Son pine hill, Ma Danh lake, Da Ron lake, Da Nhim lake, and hills of wildflowers; Visit and admire the unique beauty of architectural works that reflect the rich culture of the Churu people, such as Ka Don Church and the ancient Churu Church.

In Di Linh district, at the end of February, the District People's Committee issued a plan to implement the Project on Community Tourism Development in Vietnam within the district. Accordingly, the plan identifies the development of community tourism in a sustainable direction; linked to promoting social progress and equity. It aims to effectively exploit the potential, strengths, and unique characteristics of the locality; and at the same time, mobilize resources to develop community tourism; integrating it with the implementation of national target programs in the area...

Orientation towards efficient exploitation

With its abundant and rich natural and cultural potential, the people of the entire province have known how to utilize and exploit this "gold mine" to transform it into a driving force for economic development. Leaders of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism believe that community-based tourism models, combining agricultural production and cultivation with tourism development, have yielded high efficiency, not only contributing to the socio-economic development of the locality but also providing a stable livelihood and improving the quality of life for the people. These models have become unique tourism products, bearing the distinct identity of each locality, contributing to diversification and avoiding product duplication between localities.

Sharing benefits and collaborative development have been effectively implemented in many tourist destinations. Community-based tourism development is both a way to preserve culture and promote inherent values. For community-based tourism to create sustainable livelihoods, in addition to unique natural landscapes and indigenous cultural values, it first requires a united community willing to share benefits. This is coupled with the joint efforts, cooperation, and guidance of all levels of government, departments, and local authorities.

To develop community-based tourism into a complete product, and to gradually build and develop the Lam Dong community-based tourism brand, it is necessary to link community-based tourism development with the preservation and promotion of the traditional cultural values ​​of ethnic groups, including hands-on experiences in craft villages; and to link community-based tourism with the construction of new rural areas, supporting access to resources and public services for rural areas, especially ethnic minority and mountainous regions…

At the same time, the plan also aims to strive for each district to build at least one model of community-based tourism linkages associated with new rural development; traditional craft villages with OCOP products linked to community-based tourism development; one community-based tourism destination applying information technology in tourism activities; and ultimately to build a database and standardize digital maps of community-based tourism destinations nationwide...

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/lam-dong-khai-thac-van-hoa-ban-dia-de-phat-trien-du-lich-cong-dong-20250516095454929.htm