Spring arrives in Thach Khuyen stone village.

- As peach blossoms bloom in vibrant colors on the mountain slopes of the Ba Son border region, Thach Khuyen stone village also joyfully dons a "new coat." Not only does it possess the serene beauty of centuries-old stone walls, but this Spring of the Year of the Horse, Thach Khuyen is also brimming with new vitality from the synergy between state investment and the entrepreneurial spirit of the community itself.

People from Ba Son performed traditional folk songs and played the zither at the opening ceremony of the classes teaching traditional folk singing, zither playing, sli singing, and lion dance, under the project "Preserving the traditional cultural village of Thach Khuyen stone village" in Ba Son commune.

Thach Khuyen Stone Village has a history spanning hundreds of years and currently has over 100 households. The village boasts stone walls 4-5 meters high, skillfully stacked on top of each other without any binding material, surrounding the village like a sturdy "stone circle" (Thach Khuyen) to protect the villagers.

New vitality

In the bustling atmosphere of the days leading up to the Lunar New Year of the Horse, Thach Khuyen welcomed us with a completely new look. Smooth roads, ancient earthen houses renovated with eye-catching entrance gates – all the result of close attention from all levels of government and the joint efforts of the local people.

The Thach Khuyen stone village, with its centuries-old history and protected by towering stone ramparts, has been truly "awakened" thanks to a traditional cultural village preservation project in Ba Son commune (formerly Xut Le commune, Cao Loc district). This is a key component of Project No. 6 on "Preserving and promoting the valuable traditional culture of ethnic minorities in conjunction with tourism development," part of the National Target Program for socio -economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas for the period 2021-2030. With a total investment of 6 billion VND, the project has brought about a comprehensive renovation of the village's physical appearance.

A prime example is the shrine dedicated to the Earth God, a majestic spiritual structure spanning nearly 400 square meters, meticulously constructed from cut stone and ironwood, with a yin-yang tiled roof, harmoniously integrated with the ancient stone ramparts surrounding the village. Furthermore, from the village pond and gate to the 128-meter stone ramparts around the village, everything is reinforced with sturdy stone blocks and paved with brown cut stone, creating a strong connection between ancient architecture and modern infrastructure.

Pilot homestay program featuring traditional earthen-walled houses for tourists in Thach Khuyen stone village, Ba Son commune.

Most notably, there is an effort to preserve the "essence" within each traditional stilt house.

Standing on the porch of his newly renovated house, Mr. Nong Van Tien, a resident of Thach Khuyen village, happily said: “This earthen house was the culmination of my life’s work, but over time it had deteriorated. Now, thanks to the project, the earthen walls have been plastered smooth again using traditional techniques, and the yin-yang tiled roof makes the house look grand and much cooler. What I like most is the sturdy wooden door that still retains the traditional style of the house.”

Alongside this, the preservation of the village's "soul" has also been meticulously cared for. The traditional folk songs of the Tay and Nung people, such as the Then and Sli songs, and the vibrant lion dances, have regained their vitality through skill-training classes and new props and costumes that have received investment from various levels of government and relevant agencies, transforming Thach Khuyen into a true "living museum" on the map of the UNESCO Lang Son Global Geopark.

Mr. Nguyen Van Thinh, Chairman of the People's Committee of Ba Son commune, affirmed: "The project has created an important leverage, helping Thach Khuyen preserve its heritage while ensuring sustainable livelihoods. In the future, we are determined to transform the stone carving village into a civilized and unique tourist destination, helping the people both increase their income and proudly preserve their identity and living environment right in their homeland."

Unleashing the power of community

What makes Thach Khuyen even more special this spring is the vitality of the "Hin Village EcoStay" model, part of the "Developing experiential tourism in Thach Khuyen Stone Village from the internal strength of the community" project.

Ms. Nong Thi Ghi, the project supervisor at Ba Son High School, shared: "My greatest motivation stems from my deep love for the beauty of Thach Khuyen and my concern at seeing young people leaving their hometowns to work far away, leaving a void where the local culture is gradually fading away. This project is not only a passionate effort to preserve but also a smart solution to thoroughly address community issues. I hope to create a breakthrough in sustainable tourism, proving that we can absolutely rise from nothing based on the inherent strength of the people."

Regarding the roadmap, since November 2025, the group has participated in practical learning programs and is diligently preparing for the national exam to attract investment. It is known that following their field trip to Lan Nong, Cai Kinh commune, the group has collaborated with the commune authorities to launch a pilot project in early 2026 and officially implement it on a large scale in the second quarter of 2026. Currently, the project has begun welcoming guests; the students in the group, who are also local residents, act as intermediaries, directly guiding visitors through the stone carving village and arranging accommodation in local homestays.

Linh Thi Ly, a student from Ba Son High School and the project team leader, excitedly shared: "When visiting the homestay here, tourists will stay in traditional houses designed in the unique style of the Tay and Nung ethnic groups; make traditional cakes, learn to sing then and sli songs, and play the zither with local artisans; make souvenirs from corn husks and pebbles; conquer milestone 1212; and go boating on Ba Son reservoir."

In particular, the heart of the trip lies in the tranquil moments under the ancient banyan tree of Thach Khuyen. Here, stories of the heroic Ba Son guerrilla zone and the steely spirit of the people during the 1979 border war are recounted, making each moss-covered stone seem to come alive and full of pride… Currently, the group's Facebook page, "Experiential Tourism - Thach Khuyen Stone Village," has over 14,000 followers.

The spring of the Year of the Horse is knocking on the doors of every traditional earthen house in Thach Khuyen. With the interplay of strong provincial investment and the innovative spirit of the youth, this "gem of stone" in the border region is shining brighter than ever. Thach Khuyen not only preserves its ancestral heritage but is also confidently opening up a sustainable livelihood, continuing the story of the vibrant community spirit in this frontier of the Fatherland.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/xuan-moi-tren-lang-da-thach-khuyen-5070108.html