Phieng Loi gets a new look.

An aerial view of Phiêng Lơi village, Điện Biên Phủ ward.

Located on flat terrain, just about 3km from the ward center, Phiêng Lơi village holds unique cultural values, ready to be "awakened." Its special appeal lies in the preserved cultural space of the Thái ethnic group, particularly the Black Thái people, which has been maintained almost intact. Amidst the changes of modern life, the village retains its distinctive beauty with traditional stilt houses with curved roofs, familiar weaving looms, and a community lifestyle closely connected to nature. Visitors come here not only to admire but also to experience the local culture through the graceful Xòe dance, the vibrant drumming, the colorful brocade costumes, and the rich, traditional dishes. This pristine cultural space creates a unique identity, making Phiêng Lơi a distinctive and emotionally rich destination on the journey to explore Điện Biên.

Phiêng Lơi is gradually putting on a new look.

Since identifying the direction of community-based tourism development, Phiêng Lơi has embarked on a journey of determined creation. From the very beginning of implementation, the Party Committee and the government of Điện Biên Phủ ward have acted decisively and responsibly, directly going to the grassroots to survey and assess each road, each stilt house, and each area with potential for service development. To gain a comprehensive and systematic perspective, the ward organized a working group with exemplary households to study the community-based tourism model in Sin Suối Hồ village (Lai Châu province), a place famous for its sustainable tourism practices. There, the group learned in detail about planning, organizing homestays, developing services, and especially the experience of preserving traditional culture in conjunction with economic development . Following this, the villagers continued to learn weaving skills in Na Sang village, Núa Ngam commune, where the Black Thai people of Phiêng Lơi were taught weaving and embroidery techniques by experienced artisans. These trips not only bring back knowledge but also open up a new way of thinking, helping people learn how to transform traditional crafts into valuable tourism products.

Managers, scientists, experts, and tourism organizations and businesses visited and provided feedback to develop sustainable tourism in Phiêng Lơi village.

Returning from their training trips, their first priority was to renovate and standardize the infrastructure. Village roads were upgraded, and the electricity, water, and tourism signage systems, as well as environmental sanitation, were prioritized for comprehensive improvement, creating a solid foundation for the homestay model. Simultaneously, the ward authorities organized numerous systematic training courses for residents: from tourism skills and the renovation of traditional stilt houses to investing in homestays that adhere to traditional architecture, to service skills and food safety and hygiene. Officials visited individual households to guide them on space layout, material selection, and ensuring each homestay was both comfortable and maintained its traditional architecture. Many households received support in installing standard sanitary facilities. This standardization of services was like a "small revolution" within each household. From initial shyness, the residents gradually became confident "cultural ambassadors," sharing the stories of their village with friends from all over the world.

Workshop on sustainable community tourism development in Phiêng Lơi village.

More significantly, in November of this year, the Phieng Loi Tourism Cooperative was officially established, opening a new phase of more professional development. Mr. Luong Van Muon, the village head and now the director of the Phieng Loi Tourism Cooperative, shared: “After visiting and training at successful community tourism models, we understand even more clearly that to develop sustainable tourism, we must change our mindset, approach, and organizational methods. In the coming time, we will focus on standardizing tourism products, from homestays and cuisine to Black Thai cultural experience programs. At the same time, we are determined to preserve and revive traditional crafts, especially brocade weaving. That is the cultural soul of the village, what makes Phieng Loi different from other destinations.”

Provincial leaders and leaders of Dien Bien Phu ward performed the ceremony of pressing the button to inaugurate the community tourism site and the launch ceremony of the smart tourism software "Dien Bien Phu Tour".

Today, Phiêng Lơi boasts a new look – more vibrant, more refined, and full of promise. The announcement and opening ceremony of the community tourism destination and the launch of the smart tourism software “Dien Bien Phu Tour” are testaments to this positive transformation. According to Nguyen Quang Hung, Secretary of the Dien Bien Phu Ward Party Committee, community tourism activities in Phiêng Lơi have initially shown positive changes: infrastructure has been invested in and improved, some households have started providing tourism services, and have boldly invested in accommodation, food, and cultural experiences; the number of visitors is increasing. Phiêng Lơi has gradually formed a community tourism model, becoming a destination with great potential within the cultural and historical space of the ward.

Nguyen Quang Hung, Secretary of the Dien Bien Phu Ward Party Committee, delivered a speech at the ceremony announcing and inaugurating the community tourism destination and launching the smart tourism software "Dien Bien Phu Tour".

“With the theme ‘Developing tourism in conjunction with promoting national cultural identity,’ Dien Bien Phu Ward has identified tourism development linked to national cultural identity not only as a goal but also as the right path to preserve, conserve, and promote existing traditional cultural values. Tourism only truly becomes attractive when it is connected to cultural stories, and culture only truly comes alive when it is infused into the lives of tourists and connected to the community. The launch of the Phieng Loi Community Tourism Destination today is clear evidence of a harmonious approach between preservation and development, between traditional values and modern needs,” emphasized Nguyen Quang Hung, Secretary of the Dien Bien Phu Ward Party Committee.

The Phiêng Lơi village's performing arts troupe is becoming increasingly professional, presenting many unique performances that bear the distinct mark of the Thái ethnic group's culture.

During the bustling days of the announcement and opening ceremony of the community tourism destination in Phieng Loi, many locals and tourists from all over gathered to witness the transformation of this land. Gilles Cestac, who traveled from distant France to Phieng Loi on the day of the festival, shared with delight: “This is my first time in Phieng Loi, and I am truly impressed by how well-preserved the Thai culture is. I felt the sincerity, hospitality, and pride of the people here as they introduced their identity. Experiencing the activities firsthand, enjoying traditional food, and immersing myself in the unique cultural atmosphere of the village, I found this trip incredibly memorable and fortunate. Phieng Loi is truly a special destination that I will recommend to my friends when they visit Vietnam.”

Phieng Loi has been taking steady steps on its journey to becoming a model community-based tourism village. However, these are only the first steps; the road ahead is still very long. For this transformation to be sustainable, it requires the tireless efforts of the local community, the professional management of the Cooperative, the support of the government, and the assistance of tourism experts and businesses. Only then will Phieng Loi truly realize its full potential and become a shining example of Dien Bien's cultural tourism.

Text and photos: Diep Chi

Source: https://dienbientv.vn/tin-tuc-su-kien/van-hoa/202512/phieng-loi-thay-ao-moi-5822002/