(VOVWORLD) - Western Nghe An is home to an array of indigenous knowledge preserved by many ethnic groups, including the Thai. Traditional costumes, cuisine, stilt houses, folk music, and festivals imbued with the spirit of Nghe An province's mountains and forests create a distinctive identity for this area. The combination of rich indigenous culture and unspoiled natural landscapes supports a thriving tourism sector here.
 Hoa Tien Village in western Nghe An as viewed from above (Photo: Pham Tam/giaoducthoidai.vn) |
The Thai living in Hoa Tien village, Chau Tien commune, are one of the oldest communities in Nghe An. For generations they’ve nurtured their rich cultural heritage, most notably folk songs that reflect their life in the mountains. Villager Sam Thi Xanh considers it her personal responsibility to pass these melodies on to younger generations.
“The culture of the Thai people is immensely rich. The elders say, ‘If food is not eaten, it spoils; if old words are not spoken, they are forgotten,” said Xanh.
 Sam Thi Xanh (first in line) engages in a cultural exchange with tourists (Photo courtesy of Sam Thi Xanh) |
In addition to their folk songs, the Thai people in western Nghe A maintain their traditional cuisine, brocade weaving, natural dyeing methods, and intricate decorative motifs. Thee are cultural resources that embody the community’s ethos and underpin the distinctive tourism identity of the region.
By leveraging these cultural strengths, Hoa Tien village attracts about 4,000 visitors per year, with the number of foreign tour groups on the rise. 7 households now operate homestays, providing accommodation, meals, and cultural experiences for visitors, while creating employment for local people.
Nguyen Tien Hung, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Chau Tien commune, said the local administration has designated tourism as one of its 3 strategic priorities for the 2025-2030 term.
“We have introduced a program focused on preserving and promoting the traditions of the Thai ethnic community and linking them to tourism. Local residents are the providers and primary beneficiaries of community-based tourism. Hoa Tien village has been officially recognized by Nghe A province as a community tourism destination,” said Hung.
As Nghe An uses its indigenous cultural resources to develop distinctive tourism products - particularly in the western region - tourism models, products, and experiential spaces have begun to demonstrate their economic value and align with sustainable tourism trends. Many sectors and organizations, including the Nghe An Union of Friendship Organizations, have contributed to the efforts of local communities.
 The traditional brocade weaving craft of the Thai ethnic community in western Nghe An has its own identity. (Photo: Van Ty/ VNA) |
Nguyen Hong Ky, Vice President of the Union, said many partners have shown an interest in Nghe A tourism.
“The experiential model of tourism we’re promoting encourages domestic and foreign tourists to come and explore the region’s unique indigenous culture. Combining brocade weaving and other traditional arts with practices related to the natural environment, green economy, and clean economy appeals strongly to visitors. We aim to contribute to Nghe An’s economic development by using tourism as a bridge to bring the cultures of our ethnic minority communities to the outside world,” said Ky.
In Hoa Tien village, transforming indigenous culture into tourism products and services is helping to preserve local cultural heritage while boosting incomes and providing sustainable livelihoods to members of ethnic communities.