Community-based tourism breathes new life to local culture
All the 240 households in Thieng Lieng hamlet once knew only salt production and aquaculture, but now welcoming tourists has become a source of their joy and income.
An aerial view of Thieng Lieng hamlet (Photo: VNA)
HCM City (VNA) – Community-base🐈d tourism has transformed traditional ways of life into unique travel experiences, helping boost socio-ec🎀onomic development as well as preserve cultural heritage.
Seventy kilometres to the centre of Ho Chi Minh City, the tranquil Thieng Lieng hamlet on Thanh An island commune of Can Gio district offers an escape into a world of mangrove forests and sunlit salt fields. The transformation began in late 2022, when Thieng Lieng became the city’s first community-based tourist destination, built on local cultural traits and the authentic ecosystem of mangrove forests and river – sea confluence.
Coming to Thieng Lieng, visitors can stroll or cycle around the island's winding paths and discover 24 different tourism offerings that spread across households, each providing them with a glimpse into the daily rhythms of the local life.
Nguyen Van Yen, head of Thieng Lieng hamlet, said 240 households once knew only salt production and aquaculture, but now welcoming tourists has become a source of their joy and income. Visitors come to explore Giong Chua Mountain and the legendary "footprints of Goddess Nu Oa" at its base, and then return to the salt fields where they can try traditional salt making passed down through generations.
Visitors to Thieng Lieng have opportunities to try traditional salt making. (Photo: VNA)
Bui Thi Gia, whose family operates the "Homestay and Fresh Drinks of Muoi Gia", represents the entrepreneurial spirit driving this transformation. She said islanders have become more proud of and paid due attention to preserving their distinctive features like cooking methods, traditional music, heritage crafts, and environmental protection.
In the Mekong Delta, Con Chim hamlet in Chau Thanh district, Tra Vinh province, offers a fascinating community-based tourism experience with the riverine garden culture. Here, visitors could immerse themselves in the vibrant atmosphere of rural markets, explore organic rice fields, and engage in traditional games. Besides, they have a chance to harvest vegetables and learn how to make traditional dishes.
Green space at the Con Chim community-based tourism site (Photo: VNA)
Deputy Director of the Tra Vinh provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Lam Huu Phuc said the Con Chim community-based tourism site welcomes 17,000 visitors a year, gaining nearly 5 billion VND (192,000 USD) in revenue. It won the ASEAN Community-based Tourism Award (CBT-ASEAN) at a ceremony held in Malaysia earlier this year.
Given substantial benefits from community-based tourism in various localities, in October 2024, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued a plan to develop this type of tourism in the country. This involves multiple steps like spatial planning for community tourism sites, infrastructure development support, assistance in visitor attraction, and the promotion of digital transformation, including utilising e-commerce platforms to develop tourism offerings.
Foreign visitors try local foods at the Con Chim community-based tourism site (Photo: VNA)
According to Phan Yen Ly from the Canh Cam Consulting Media and Event LLC, it is necessary to raise public awareness of community-based tourism’ benefits and the preservation of traditional values, transforming each community member into a genuine ambassador for local tourism brands.
Deputy Director of HCM City’s Department of Tourism Bui Thi Ngoc Hieu perceived that local authorities must go beyond guidance to accompany communities throughout the development of tourism offerings. She explained that community tourism products can only maintain long-term appeal if they are grown from each community’s own culture and ecosystem.
Meanwhile, Phuc underscored the need to improve hospitality skills, particularly foreign language, for locals to better serve visitors, making Con Chim a not-to-be-missed destination on the Mekong Delta journey./.
Eco - and community-based tourism in Thanh Hoa province's mountainous regions has emerged as a vital catalyst for poverty reduction, economic transformation, and enhancing living standards.
The Con Chim (bird islet) community-based tourism site in Chau Thanh district, the Mekong Delta province of Tra Vinh has won the ASEAN Community-based Tourism Award (CBT-ASEAN) 2023 at a ceremony held in Malaysia, according to the provincial department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.
With the country rapidly advancing its plan to merge provincial-level administrative units, set to be completed by mid-August, the tourism industry, along with other sectors, is presented with challenges but also significant opportunities for innovation and sustainable growth in the era of the nation's rise.
Located at an altitude of over 1,500 metres above sea level, Sapa is dubbed the “Switzerland of Vietnam” for its temperate climate, breathtaking scenery, and European-inspired architecture.
A quick search for “Vietnam is calling” on TikTok reveals a myriad of clips capturing the excitement of visitors setting off for Vietnam, with short videos showing tourists holding their passports, wheeling their suitcases through airports or exploring Vietnam’s scenic landscapes, diverse cuisine and unique culture - all set to upbeat, catchy soundtracks.
The number of visitors increased by 4.1% compared to the same period last year, while total tourism revenue surged by 48.8%, or nearly 88% of the year’s target.
“There is no more atmospheric way to haul into Vietnam’s twin metropolises as this train rattles through historic cities and swooshes beside spectacular coastlines,” according to Lonely Planet.
The first and only direct service connecting the two countries at the moment is set to operate three times per week using the modern wide-body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
Mu Cang Chai is home to nearly 83,000 hectares of forest, including almost 60,000 hectares of unspoiled natural woodland. Recognising this potential, local authorities have embraced a holistic strategy that protects biodiversity while promoting tourism.
Phu Quoc ranks among the top 10 leading tourist islands in Asia. As the largest island in Vietnam, it boasts stunning natural beauty, with expansive coral reefs resting beneath the sea and a number of beautiful, poetic beaches such as Sao, Truong, and Khem, known for their fine white sand and crystal-clear waters.
Vietnam's national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet are among the exhibitors, promoting key destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Phu Quoc, as well as distinctive tourism products.
Alexander Musikhin, Vice President of ATOR and CEO of the Intourist travel agency, highlighted Vietnam as a top destination offering a unique blend of beach holidays and cultural excursions.
According to Seoul’s Tourism Industry Department, approximately 20,000 Vietnamese visitors travel to the city each year for medical treatment. Vietnam consistently ranks among the top 10 countries with the highest number of medical tourists to Seoul.
An analysis of accommodation search data based on check-in dates for June and July revealed that Nha Trang surpassed all other destinations in popularity among Korean users.
The programme is organised by the Khanh Hoa provincial Youth Union and the “Khanh Hoa people speak English” Project, and aims to promote the culture, history, cuisine and other tourism products of Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa to international visitors.
VNAT Director General Nguyen Trung Khanh called visa a golden ticket to pulling in crowds, but he is clear that it needs coordinated efforts across multiple sectors to keep the momentum going in this fast-moving global travel scene.
As a tourism hub, Hanoi is now actively developing strategies to attract Muslim travellers. In recent years, the city has seen a notable uptick in visitors from countries with large Muslim populations.
When tourists witness firsthand the passion and care of farmers, they’re willing to pay higher prices because they see the genuine worth behind every product.
During the first five months, China continued to be Vietnam's largest source market of tourists, followed by the RoK, China’s Taiwan, the US, and Japan.
After more than three months of operation, the popularity of the free tours in Bac Ninh province shows no signs of cooling down. Many tourists return every week in hopes of experiencing all the tours and visiting every destination.
Typical products of Phu Tho are being showcased at the Lao Cai International Travel Mart 2025, held in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai from June 5-8.