Thach Lap preserves stilt houses associated with community tourism development

Traditional stilt houses are being preserved and promoted by the government and people of Thach Lap.

Thach Lap has diverse ecotourism resources, beautiful natural landscapes with high mountains, streams, waterfalls... With more than 93% of the population being Muong ethnic people, the commune has many unique cultural features, such as: folk performances, Muong ethnic performing arts, lullabies, charms... In particular, this place still preserves 892 traditional stilt houses, many of which are over 100 years old. On that basis, the commune has combined the preservation of traditional stilt houses with community tourism, determined to help people change their thinking, know how to exploit economic development from the national cultural identity.

Lap Thang village is a place where the typical values of an ancient Muong region converge and are preserved, and has been chosen as a focal point for the preservation of traditional stilt houses associated with tourism development in Thach Lap commune. From 2021 to now, with the support of the State, 61 traditional stilt houses have been repaired and newly built in the village, with a total investment of about 36.5 billion VND; 10 households were supported with 20 million VND/household to renovate and restore stilt houses to pilot community tourism development. Ngoc Lac district (old) has also invested over 6 billion VND to build community cultural stilt houses and a campus in Lap Thang community tourism village. At the same time, training classes have been opened for villagers on tourism development as well as knowledge and skills to serve tourists; traditional vocational training (weaving, brocade weaving, etc.), and preservation of intangible cultural values. The successful restoration of Muong Lap Festival also contributes significantly to preserving cultural heritage, while creating more tourism products for the locality.

Lap Thang village chief Pham Van Canh said: "The whole village has 144 households, with 118 stilt houses. From the initial 10 households that pioneered the renovation and repair of stilt houses for community tourism, now there are 60 households doing so. People have repaired damaged structures, improved the environment and landscape, and upgraded auxiliary works to meet accommodation standards for tourists."

From the cultural space of stilt houses, many families have built and renovated them into homestays to preserve indigenous culture, prepare special dishes, build art programs and experience activities to serve tourists.

Mr. Pham Van Vo is one of the first households in the commune to open a homestay service. Up to now, his accommodation has become a favorite destination for domestic and foreign tourists on weekends. “My family still maintains a traditional stilt house where 4 generations live together. In addition, I invested in building more huts, cooking areas, restrooms, and renovating the access road on a neighboring plot of land to make a homestay. Up to now, the homestay can serve more than 100 diners and 30 overnight guests,” Mr. Vo shared.

In order to support and share experiences in developing community tourism, in 2024, Thach Lap Agricultural and Tourism Service Cooperative was established. Up to now, it has grown to nearly 500 associated members, divided into product groups serving community tourism such as: weaving group, food and accommodation service group, brocade weaving group... Besides, the Cooperative is gradually restoring the profession of growing mulberry, raising silkworms, reeling silk and weaving, with the desire to revive traditional occupations; contributing to preserving and promoting the long-standing culture of the Muong people to tourists, creating a unique color in developing community tourism.

The endless source of Muong ethnic culture continues to nurture the souls of the young generation of Thach Lap today. Secretary of the Thach Lap Commune Youth Union Pham Thi Huong shared: “Loving the stilt houses and the homeland, the commune youth union has actively implemented training courses for young people on food safety, customer service, room reservation management, pricing, marketing, cashiering, and waste treatment. Young people learn tour guiding skills and basic foreign languages to act as tour guides. In addition, they created a Facebook/Instagram/YouTube page "Nha stilt Thach Lap", designed QR codes in each stilt house, to easily spread the image of the homeland to tourists."

Chairman of the People's Committee of Thach Lap Commune Pham Thi Ly said: "In the coming time, we are determined to make tourism a real economic sector that contributes positively to socio-economic development while still preserving natural and cultural values, creating many job opportunities and increasing income for the local community. To do that, the commune actively propagates and mobilizes people to restore traditional occupations such as brocade weaving, mulberry growing, silkworm raising, rattan weaving, making traditional agricultural tools... Coordinate with relevant departments and offices to open training courses on tourism services, food processing, community tourism skills, teaching and preserving folk songs and dances, establishing folk art clubs and maintaining activities to attract people to participate and serve tourists. Develop Thach Lap agricultural and tourism service cooperatives to become a model for managing tourist destinations in Lap Thang village. Plan and develop eco-tourism spots in the commune to create a chain of experiential destinations diverse experiences, harmoniously connected with the indigenous culture of the Muong people".

Article and photos: Anh Tuan

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/thach-lap-giu-nep-nha-san-gan-voi-nbsp-phat-trien-du-lich-cong-dong-269951.htm