(HBO) – About 60km northwest of Hoa Binh city, Lac village of Chieng Chau commune, Mai Chau district, is hidden among mountain ranges. It is a popular destination, especially among those who passion natural beauty and ethnic minority culture.
Foreigners tour Lac village by bicycle
Lac village is situated in Mai Chau valley and is home to Thai ethnic people.
Once here the peace and picturesque that nature has given to this place become
apparent. In the past, locals depended on farming rice and making brocades for
a livelihood. However, the village’s hidden charm has recently been explored,
particularly through increasing community-based tourism, helping turn it into a
key tourism site of Mai Chau and the northwestern region.
The number of tourists to Lac village has risen in recent years. Stilt houses
have been upgraded but still have traditional features, while 57 houses provide
homestay services in the village at present. More than 12,880 tourists,
including about 2,950 foreigners, enjoyed the services in 2016. Service quality
is improving and foreigners are not overcharged as all service prices are
publicised. Tourists in groups can rent a stilt house at 500,000 – 1 million
VND (22 – 44 USD) while single travellers can rent a room at 200,000 VND (8.8
USD).
Lang Cam Van, a student of the University of Industry, said her group with more
than 50 members rented two houses at 750,000 VND (33 USD) each. The houses were
clean while the host was very friendly, making them feel at home.
Foreign visitors enjoy coming here. They can eat traditional dishes of Thai
ethnic people such as "ga doi” (free-range chicken), "mang dang” (bitter bamboo
shoot), "ruou can” (wine drunk out of a jar by pipes), and "nep nuong” (sticky rice
grown in hills). Daniel, a tourist from
New Zealand, said: "I love the food
here, especially "com lam” (bamboo-tube rice). This is the first time I seen
rice is cooked in a special way. The sticky rice in combination with coconut
and the typical fragrance of bamboo tubes create a perfect dish. We are not
confused by the language because local people could communicate in English
fluently. We also had a brocade weaving experience and joined art performances.
We made a lot of unforgettable memories in this place.”
Head of the Lac hamlet Ha Cong Hong said tourism is the main source of income
for locals at present. The previous year’s average per capita income was
estimated at 27 million VND. We are always aware of improving service quality
to attract visitors. Social order and security are ensured. We plan to build a
tourism development project and create flower gardens for visitors to take
photos.
According to Hong, locals understand that a good environment will boost
community-based tourism. Households clean the streets and dredge the sewers.
However, there are no effective measures to treat waste, with most rubbish
burnt. Local communes have encouraged families to contribute money to hire an
environment company to collect garbage.
Dong Huong
Once a vibrant part of the daily life for the Muong ethnic group in Hoa Binh province, traditional Muong singing styles such as "thuong rang bo meng” and "hat dup giao duyen” had faded over time. Today, local authorities and communities are working to restore and celebrate this cultural art form, recognising its value in preserving the group’s heritage.
Gau Tao Festival, one of the most important traditional festivals of the Mong ethnic minority group in Mai Chau district was held at the Pa Co stadium in Pa Co commune on January 11.
The ancient stone engravings dating back thousands of years in Suoi Co valley in My Thanh commune, Lac Son district, used to astonished domestic archaeologists. What their meaning is and what message they convey are the questions to which scientists are seeking answers.
Preserving and promoting unique cultural identities of ethnic communities in Hoa Binh province is considered a crucial task amid in the international integration trend.
More than just a cultural and historical attraction, the Muong Cultural Heritage Museum is playing a vital role in fostering sustainable tourism in the Northwestern region of Vietnam, particularly in Hoa Binh province. It stands as a model for the emerging trend of "responsible tourism," cleverly blending the preservation of cultural heritage with community economic development, raising awareness of Muong ethnic cultural values while promoting green tourism and sustainable growth.
The provincial Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism on December 24 organised a conference to report on the results of collecting, researching, restoring, and preserving "Bi doi”, a musical instrument of the airophonic family and a traditional instrument of the Muong ethnic people in Da Bac district.
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