Khuoi Ky stone village does homestay tourism

The beauty of Khuoi Ky stone stilt house village (Dam Thuy commune, Trung Khanh district, Cao Bang ) fascinates many tourists not only because of the unique and strange architecture of the ancient village with unique stone stilt houses and the space surrounded by wild mountains and forests and attached to amazing nature, but every time tourists come here, they can also experience the rich, attractive and unique indigenous culture of the spiritual and cultural life of the Tay ethnic people here.

A romantic corner in front of the stone stilt house of Khuoi Ky people. Source: Vietnam Pictorial

This village, which is considered a “Western” village, is changing day by day with a homestay tourism model spread over about 1 hectare, with 14 houses leaning against the mountain and facing Khuoi Ky stream. The stone stilt house is designed with 2 roofs, covered with yin-yang tiles. Visitors passing through the stone gates decorated with wild flower pots, stepping up each stone step, will be fascinated by the interior of the house appearing with straight wooden columns, ceilings and floors made of wood.

Seizing their advantages, Khuoi Ky people are investing in community tourism (homestay). Currently, Khuoi Ky villagers are developing an experiential tourism model, each time tourists visit they can experience the Tay culture in a stone stilt house.

Mr. Trieu Ich Xi, Hhuoi Ky hamlet, Dam Thuy commune, Trung Khanh district, Cao Bang province, is a pioneer in the homestay economic model in the locality, sharing: The homestay model is built on an existing stone stilt house. To meet the demand for opening a homestay, the family renovated it: “When I was born, I saw a stone stilt house. I heard from the elders that the stone house is airy in the summer and warm in the winter. The hot summer sun does not reach the inside because the stone walls are thick and it is warm in the winter. On the house that already has 5 rooms, I re-tiled the tiles, redid the floor, re-paved the floor, cleaned the bookstore, bought new mattresses and blankets.” The beauty and antiquity of Khuoi Ky stone village and the hospitality of the people here are passed on from word of mouth, and tourists come to Khuoi Ky to explore and experience.

Stone stilt houses in Khuoi Ky village. Source: Vietnam Pictorial

From here, the revenue from tourism services helps people's lives become more prosperous. Mr. Trieu Ich Xi shared: "Currently, we still grow corn and rice. Our family opens a tourism business and has 1-2 guests a day, so our family's economy is better off. Before, growing corn and rice was just enough to eat. If we wanted our children to go to school, we had to sell corn and rice. But opening a tourism business brings in money from guests staying at the hotel, so our economy is better off. Since starting tourism, our family has become more prosperous, and we can buy household appliances such as refrigerators, televisions, and motorbikes that we didn't have before."

The ancient Tay village of Khuoi Ky, Dam Thuy commune, has recently invested in developing quality community homestay accommodation services. These models have attracted a significant number of visitors, including both domestic and international visitors. Khuoi Ky currently has 10 homestay service providers. These homestays have adequate facilities to serve such as: private toilets, hot water heaters, standard bedding. Vietnamese visitors currently account for 60%, the remaining 40% are international tourists.

Mr. Trieu Ich Xi said: Usually, foreign guests here go on tours combined with many groups from Hanoi, once or twice a month. The so-called "Western backpackers" often come more regularly: "Guests have many needs for food and accommodation. Guests can go to restaurants, or they can eat with their families, so in the evening, the households often stir-fry vegetables and cook rice for guests to eat at their home. Now, ethnic people have many specialties such as sausage, smoked meat, smoked meat and many kinds of vegetables and fruits... Each person will be 100 thousand/person/mattress".

The stone stilt houses in Khuoi Ky originate from the Tay ethnic group's "stone god" worship culture.

Internet photo

In front of Khuoi Ky village, there is a cool stream, visitors can comfortably bathe in the stream in the hot season. In the cold season, all houses in the village have hot and cold water dispensers and a kitchen with a gas stove, refrigerator and some necessary utensils for visitors to cook for themselves. Visitors can also follow the locals to experience the production and labor life of the Tay people here. Visitors can go picking bamboo shoots, digging roots or working in the fields, catching fish or preparing typical dishes of the Tay people, such as smoked pork, smoked sausage and clean vegetables grown on the edge of the forest. Khuoi Ky village has 100% Tay households with purely indigenous customs, habits, lifestyles and costumes. Therefore, when coming to Khuoi Ky village, visitors will also feel the unique cultural identity of the Tay people in Eastern Cao Bang. This is also a major policy of Trung Khanh district in the coming time.

Mr. Dam Van Vu, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Trung Khanh district, Cao Bang province, said: "Currently, in addition to more than 10 homestay households in Khuoi Ky stone village, Trung Khanh district also has a number of communes that have begun to develop. There is a Youth Cooperative that is also investing in developing community tourism. Implementing the development project in the district, including the homestay development model, is also under the direction of the District People's Committee. In addition, there are a number of non-governmental projects focusing on support, such as the rural development project, the VE 036 project. Currently, there are 3 households receiving support from the project right in Khuoi Ky village. The initial implementation has also brought about effective income for households opening homestays under the support project."

In 2008, Khuoi Ky village was recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a “Typical Traditional Cultural Village of Ethnic Minorities”. Since then, the village has attracted more and more domestic and international tourists to visit and experience. The people here know how to take advantage of the beautiful nature, as well as promote the rich traditional culture to promote the development of community tourism models, thereby contributing to improving the lives of the people.

Coming to Khuoi Ky Stone Village today, visitors will not only enjoy participating in many activities with the locals and the romantic and fascinating beauty of the mountains and forests with an ancient village with unique stone stilt houses, but also come to a diverse cultural area with warm and hospitable people./.

Yanjiang