"The House of Joy"

QTO - In the Bru-Van Kieu language, Doong Bui can be understood as a house full of joy. Ho Thi Thiet (born in 2002), residing in Chenh Venh village, Huong Phung commune, chose this name for her family's homestay, hoping to multiply smiles through community-based tourism. Thiet's long-held dream has begun to become a reality.

Turning to tourism

When Thiet went to the lowlands to study medicine, many villagers came to congratulate her. Everyone advised her to seize this opportunity to change her life. Therefore, when they saw Thiet return to live in the village, everyone felt sorry for her. They didn't know that Thiet's return home stemmed from a choice she made. Seeing the opportunity for her family and hometown to change through community tourism, she shifted her focus.

Thiet exudes a special aura. That inner strength is the culmination of the hardships she has endured. Thiet's parents both worked in the fields. Despite working tirelessly, they struggled to provide for their five children. Thiet's childhood was filled with meals consisting only of wild vegetables, stream fish, and salt and chili... Although she often went to school on an empty stomach, she persevered remarkably. Thiet knew that education was the key to her life.

He is looking for interesting places to experience and introduce to visitors when they come to his hometown - Photo: QH

During her school years, Thiet experienced many "struggles," both in adversity and in her mindset. She rarely knew the joy of summer vacation because she was busy earning a living. Thiet pushed aside her shyness whenever she wore worn-out clothes. Even on the day she became a freshman at Hue College of Health , she couldn't be happy because she knew that dropping out of school could happen at any time.

Recalling the past, Thiet said that before returning to her hometown to work in tourism, she had thought a lot about it. After three years of studying in the city, Thiet could have easily found a suitable job. However, if she chose that path, she would only be living for herself. "The opportunity to work in community tourism presented itself, but my parents were still hesitant to get involved. I wanted to return and create a breakthrough," Thiet explained.

Transform your house into a homestay.

Despite its picturesque location, the village of Chênh Vênh has only potential for tourism development. Local leaders have repeatedly encouraged residents to develop community-based tourism, and project staff have also provided support. However, the villagers are still hesitant to engage in tourism. They believe they are not accustomed to any work other than farming.

Having been a student herself, Thiet understood that without learning, it would be difficult to succeed in tourism. Therefore, she encouraged others to participate in training courses organized by various organizations and projects. Thiet herself was always an active participant. The more she learned, the more she realized the "gaps" in the mindset of those working in tourism. Therefore, Thiet diligently studied and accumulated experience and skills.

The exhibition introduces traditional dishes of the Van Kieu people to tourists - Photo: Provided by the artist.

With a solid foundation, Thiet felt more confident in persuading her family to use their own house as a homestay. What seemed easy turned out to be difficult. For a long time, the Van Kieu people have believed that a house is not just a place to shelter from the rain and sun, but also holds spiritual significance, strengthening family and community bonds. In particular, the central part of the house is not accessible to everyone. Therefore, Thiet had to patiently help her parents understand that everyone who comes to their home is a special guest, bringing joy with them. Gradually, Thiet's parents agreed and helped her renovate the house, build restrooms, and create small gardens… Currently, Thiet's family's three large stilt houses are always open to guests, accommodating 40-50 people.

To better serve tourists, Thiet clearly assigns responsibilities to each family member. She plans the travel itineraries, acts as a tour guide, and creates new experiences for guests. Thiet and her mother cook traditional dishes to serve guests at the homestay. Furthermore, she enthusiastically connects guests with local produce and helps them purchase local goods from the village and surrounding areas.

Mr. Ho Van La Hai, Head of Chenh Veng village, said: “Chenh Veng village has 138 households with nearly 500 people, including 5 pioneering households in community tourism. We are very happy to see that the villagers, especially Thiet's family, are doing very well in tourism. With his dynamism, talent, and willingness to learn, Thiet is a role model for everyone to learn from.”

Don't take shortcuts or live in the moment.

Thiet explained that most travel enthusiasts have already visited many places and used luxury services. Given her family's circumstances, she finds it difficult to meet such high demands. Therefore, Thiet offers guests new and exciting experiences. She also focuses on helping them understand more about the beauty and charm of the Van Kieu people. This approach helps Thiet reach a unique and stable customer base.

On Valentine's Day last year, Doong Bui homestay officially opened. Initially, Thiet worried about a lack of guests. Therefore, she was delighted to welcome her first group of six students from Hue City. That evening, they gathered around a bonfire, enjoyed delicious food, and shared songs and music. After returning home, the group gifted Thiet beautiful photos and a long, insightful post on social media.

In her work, Thiet sometimes encountered setbacks or difficulties. Whenever this happened, staff from the USAID-funded Vietnam Biodiversity Conservation Project (VFBC) were there to provide timely support. This strengthened Thiet's confidence in her work. No matter how challenging the situation, Thiet's family refused to pursue tourism in a short-sighted, opportunistic way. Touched by this, several tour groups returned to visit Thiet's family multiple times last year.

Since starting her career in tourism, Thiet has experienced many emotions. At times, she felt uncertain and considered returning to her academic field. However, that moment quickly passed. Because Thiet understood the meaning of her work. Moreover, she wanted to expand her big dream, helping to create more "homes of joy" in the Truong Son mountain range.

Quang Hiep

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/du-lich/202510/ngoi-nha-niem-vui-01a2888/