People change their lives thanks to rural tourism associated with cultural preservation

(Dan Tri) - Many households in Mai Chau commune (Phu Tho) have changed their lives and have stable incomes thanks to tourism, associated with preserving local cultural values.

According to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism , in the first six months of the year, Mai Chau (formerly Hoa Binh, now Phu Tho) welcomed 471,640 visitors, including 187,530 international visitors - a sharp increase over the same period, contributing to a revenue of more than VND565 billion. The three community tourism spots in the commune alone attract about 1,500-1,700 visitors each year, many of whom are foreign tourists.

Mai Chau commune has an area of ​​over 147km2, population of nearly 18,500 people, of which over 90% are ethnic minorities.

Previously, many areas in the commune were in a particularly difficult situation. However, with the majestic natural landscape, fresh climate and unique cultural identity of the Thai and Muong ethnic groups, the people here have taken advantage of the advantages to develop rural tourism, bringing positive economic effects.

The poetic scenery around Nhong Retreat in Mai Chau (Photo: NR).

Previously, the commune government had encouraged households to boldly open homestays (resorts), and coordinated with the District Vocational Training Center to organize training courses on community tourism management skills.

More than 30 students learned practical skills in reception, service, promotion, and experience organization; many households had access to preferential loans to invest in facilities.

Ms. Ha Thi Nhung, Thanh Son village, previously, her family only grew corn and cassava on the fields, with unstable income. After participating in a community tourism training course, she was supported with a 100 million VND loan from preferential capital to renovate her house into a homestay.

Thanks to taking advantage of the landscape and professional service, her family welcomes hundreds of guests each year, and income increases four times compared to before.

Many households have "changed their lives" thanks to cleaning their houses to welcome guests and building rural tourism products (Photo: Quynh Lam).

Ms. Ha Hong Nga's family in Lac village also has an admirable journey of "changing their lives". From a woman who only knew how to work in the fields, she now cooks traditional Muong dishes, cleans homestay rooms and tells stories about her hometown to tourists.

Now, her family has a stable income thanks to the shuttle service and homestay, turning tourism into a stable source of income. "Tourists appreciate our identity, something that sometimes the locals forget," said Ms. Nga.

Dishes rich in ethnic identity in Mai Chau attract tourists (NR).

Along with tourism development, Mai Chau focuses on supporting agricultural production, gradually forming typical products. From the capital source of the National Target Program, the commune has implemented many effective models such as supporting hybrid cow breeds, expanding the area of ​​hybrid corn, peanuts, taro, sweet potatoes, and purple garlic.

Some products have been built collective brands such as Thai Mai Chau brocade, Thanh Son purple garlic, and Thung Khe sticky corn, contributing to increasing value and competitiveness. These products also contribute to enhancing the Mai Chau tourism brand.

Mai Chau prioritizes ecological models, avoids commercialization by recreating authentic festivals and supporting collective brands for Thai Mai Chau brocade.

Notably, the commune also promoted the image of “Mai Chau - an attractive, friendly and safe destination”, encouraged businesses to invest in renovating relics, preserving intangible cultural heritage, and at the same time integrated tourism development with the new rural development program. Craft villages were supported with capital, connected to the supply chain and brought souvenir products to the market.

Thanks to the skillful exploitation of cultural factors, community tourism in Mai Chau has developed strongly. Ban Lac, Pom Coong, Van, Hang Kia, Pa Co... have become familiar stops for domestic and foreign tourists. In particular, in Ban Lac, where Thai people have lived for more than 700 years, they still maintain the stilt houses, traditional costumes and ancient customs, a bright spot on the Vietnamese tourism map.

With 203 accommodation establishments, including 158 community homestays concentrated in Lac, Pom Coong, Hang Kia and Pa Co villages, tourism has become an economic pillar, helping more than 90% of the ethnic minority population improve their lives.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/du-lich/nguoi-dan-doi-doi-nho-du-lich-nong-thon-gan-voi-bao-ton-van-hoa-20251125104016547.htm