Young people in the highlands are involved in tourism.

In many localities, especially in ethnic minority areas, an increasing number of young people are starting businesses by organizing tours, working as amateur tour guides, or operating small-scale tourism services.

This is no longer a fleeting trend but is gradually forming a movement, enlivening the promising landscape of community-based tourism .

The appeal of this model lies not only in its novelty or uniqueness, but also in the authenticity and closeness it offers, thanks to the people who implement it. In ethnic minority areas, besides the pristine beauty of the mountains and forests, the richness of ethnic culture is invaluable material for tourism development.

With the advantage of being locals, born and raised amidst the mountains, many young people understand every house, every mountain, every story of their homeland. They are the "local guides," helping tourists immerse themselves in the fascinating natural landscapes and step into the cultural realms through simple things like: the smell of kitchen smoke, the taste of sticky rice cooked in bamboo, the melodious sound of the bamboo flute, or folk songs echoing through the ancient forest. Tourism at this point is not just a journey of sightseeing and discovery , but becomes an encounter between storyteller and listener.

Flexibility, creativity, and a high degree of personalization are the outstanding strengths of this model. Tourism products such as trekking tours through the forest, folk storytelling, traditional cooking, and farming with local people are developed in a way that deviates from conventional methods, offering a high degree of exploration and creating a unique, unreplicable experience. At the same time, this model creates local livelihoods, helps retain young workers, and revitalizes villages that have been impoverished for centuries.

However, this approach also faces numerous challenges. Many young, self-taught tourism operators lack formal training, leading to gaps in rescue skills, forest protection, and fire prevention; the lack of insurance and clear service contracts poses risks to tourists. Furthermore, much of this activity lacks close coordination with local authorities, resulting in reactive support in case of incidents.

However, it would be one-sided to view these as shortcomings that need to be addressed. The issue is how to support, guide, and facilitate the development of this model. It's impossible to expect young people to engage in tourism professionally if they don't have access to training courses.

It is impossible to expect them to fully comply with regulations without a mechanism for legal advice, technical support, and professional supervision. The policy and regulatory system must play a supporting role: organizing free training on tourism skills, digital communication, first aid, and disaster prevention; supporting local startup models; and connecting young people with businesses and the professional tourism industry.

When young people in mountainous regions engage in tourism, they are not only creating products but also contributing to the enrichment of remote areas. They tell the story of their homeland through their own emotions and life experiences. This is a clear manifestation of a tourism industry undergoing a qualitative shift: not dependent on large infrastructure or massive investment, but stemming from people, communities, and identity.

To ensure this journey is not a solitary one, it requires involvement from multiple parties: the government with a clear legal framework, the tourism industry with its role in connecting and verifying quality, and businesses with mechanisms for collaboration and technical support. Above all, it is the young people – with their passion, creativity, and love for their homeland – who will be the pioneering force, paving the way for a sustainable Vietnamese tourism strategy that is rooted in the community and authentic, guided by the "local leaders."

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Source: https://nhandan.vn/nguoi-tre-vung-cao-lam-du-lich-post884924.html