Finding solutions for sustainable community tourism development in Phieng Loi village, Dien Bien province

Deputy Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism Pham Van Thuy attended and chaired the workshop. The workshop was also attended by Vice Chairman of Dien Bien Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Minh Phu; Deputy Director of Dien Bien Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Thi Thanh Chuyen; Party Secretary, Chairman of Dien Bien Phu Ward People's Council; along with many experts, scientists , tourism businesses of Dien Bien province and the whole country.

Deputy Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism Pham Van Thuy chaired the workshop. Photo: TITC

Workshop on sustainable community tourism development in Phieng Loi village. Photo: TITC

Dien Bien is assessed to have rich potential and advantages for tourism development, including community tourism activities. Dien Bien currently has 19 ethnic groups living together, with 35 ranked relics (01 special national relic, 20 national relics); 22 national intangible cultural heritages; 138 OCOP products, 11 villages with traditional crafts and craft villages... In particular, Phieng Loi village has 100% of the Black Thai ethnic group living, still preserving many unique customs and practices. Phieng Loi village has invested in 01 spacious cultural house; 01 traditional house serving the needs of community activities; in the village there are 02 households providing culinary cultural services, 02 homestays, 02 traditional art troupes serving tourists.

Deputy Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism Pham Van Thuy delivered a speech at the workshop. Photo: TITC

According to Vice Chairman of Dien Bien Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Minh Phu, community tourism activities in Dien Bien have initially brought about socio-economic efficiency, contributing to stabilizing social security and preserving national cultural identity. However, Dien Bien has not yet fully exploited its potential and advantages; most community tourism products do not have in-depth experiences, are small in scale, and have not become mainstream products with competitive capabilities. Dien Bien province has determined that by 2030, the whole province will strive to have at least 07 recognized community tourism spots; 01 spot meeting ASEAN community tourism standards; 50% of spots will be recognized as OCOP products, promoted on digital platforms and mainstream media.

Vice Chairman of Dien Bien Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Minh Phu speaks at the workshop. Photo: TITC

“The People's Committee of Dien Bien province hopes that managers, experts, scientists, businesses and representatives of Phieng Loi village will focus on assessing the current situation, opportunities and challenges in developing community tourism in Phieng Loi village. From there, suggest, orient and propose solutions in the management, exploitation and promotion of resources and resources to contribute to the sustainable development of community tourism in Phieng Loi village” - Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Dien Bien province Nguyen Minh Phu emphasized.

Deputy Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism Pham Van Thuy experiences the ethnic kitchen at the Phieng Loi village cultural house. Photo: TITC

Deputy Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism Pham Van Thuy listens to locals introduce the Pieu scarf at the Phieng Loi village cultural house. Photo: TITC

At the workshop, delegates listened to representatives of Dien Bien Phu ward report on the current situation and orientation for community tourism development in Phieng Loi village. Delegates also listened to experts and scientists report on "Some issues on community tourism development and orientations and suggestions for Dien Bien province"; "Orientations and solutions to preserve and exploit traditional cultural values of Thai ethnic people associated with community tourism development"; "Model of community tourism management in Phieng Loi village"; "Training human resources for community tourism development in Phieng Loi village"; "Building a cooperative model in community tourism development"; "Developing rural tourism in new rural construction and preserving traditional crafts". Through the presentations, delegates clarified a comprehensive picture of the potential and current situation of community tourism development in Vietnam today; At the same time, absorb more ideas, orient models, solutions, train human resources and develop community tourism products in Phieng Loi village.

Director of the Asian Tourism Development Institute Pham Hai Quynh speaks at the workshop. Photo: TITC

Also at the workshop, delegates enthusiastically discussed and shared experiences and solutions on how to develop community tourism activities in Phieng Loi village sustainably, rich in identity and become an attractive destination. In particular, the discussion focused on issues that need to be resolved in developing community tourism in Phieng Loi, especially the issue of preserving traditional culture, protecting resources and the environment.

Vice President of Dien Bien Province Tourism Association Bui Anh Tien spoke at the workshop. Photo: TITC

Mr. Pham Hai Quynh - Director of the Asian Tourism Development Institute, said that to develop community tourism in Phieng Loi village, synchronous solutions are needed. That is solidarity, promoting the role of the pioneering households. Besides, ensuring the core factor is that the community works together and benefits together; the community must be proactive, not passively waiting for resources, nor should it be spontaneous. Community tourism activities must be close to reality...

Deputy Head of the Department of International Relations and Tourism Promotion, Vietnam National Administration of Tourism Tran Phong Binh, speaks at the workshop. Photo: TITC

Mr. Bui Anh Tien - Vice Chairman of the Dien Bien Provincial Tourism Association said that there needs to be a connection between the government, businesses, and people; especially promoting the leading and supporting role of large enterprises. Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Hong Long - Chairman of the Scientific Council of the Faculty of Tourism Studies - Hanoi University of Social Sciences and Humanities said that it is necessary to raise awareness for people; train people to become local tourism ambassadors; improve communication skills, tourism skills...

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Hong Long - Chairman of the Scientific Council of the Faculty of Tourism Studies, Hanoi University of Social Sciences and Humanities spoke at the conference. Photo: TITC

VTC NetViet representative emphasized the issue of communication and promotion. First, tourists must know, then tourists remember, and finally make tourists want to come. VTC NetViet is ready to accompany Phieng Loi to choose truly sharp content to introduce to tourists, so that tourists really remember and want to come to Phieng Loi to experience. Mr. Tran Phong Binh, Deputy Head of the Department of International Relations and Tourism Promotion - Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, suggested that people promote cultural identity in product development, must be able to tell stories in the products, pay attention to every smallest detail to attract tourists to experience.

In addition, the delegates also shared their experiences in community tourism activities to be able to study and apply in Phieng Loi; shared solutions and orientations for product development. Through that, they shared and introduced experiences, initiatives, and orientations for community tourism development in Phieng Loi village...

VTC NetViet representative speaking at the conference. Photo: TITC

Speaking at the workshop, Deputy Director of the Vietnam National Tourism Administration Pham Van Thuy highly appreciated the initiative of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Dien Bien to organize the workshop, and highly appreciated the opinions presented at the workshop. The workshop heard many opinions and assessments of Dien Bien community tourism, and at the same time proposed solutions to support the development of Dien Bien community tourism in general, and Phieng Loi village in particular.

Through discussion, the workshop realized that Dien Bien still has many problems to overcome. Deputy Director Pham Van Thuy suggested that Dien Bien's management agencies strengthen propaganda to raise awareness, join hands to support people in developing community tourism. In addition, increase investment in transport infrastructure, strongly promote cultural values, natural resources; introduce unique cultural features, unique local cuisine. Connect consumption of OCOP products and products; build unique tourism products, coordinate resources to promote promotion.

“Authorities at all levels need to join hands to restore local festivals, such as the hair washing festival. On that basis, exploit the stories from the festival and create products to attract tourists,” Deputy Director Pham Van Thuy emphasized.

Source: https://svhttdl.dienbien.gov.vn/portal/pages/2025-11-30/Tim-giai-phap-phat-trien-du-lich-cong-dong-ben-vun1.aspx