(VOVWORLD) - Kha hamlet is an indigenous Thai community surrounded by tranquil landscapes in Sơn La province. The hamlet has developed a community tourism model to promote ethnic culture and traditions.
 Kha villagers attend a worship ritual. (Photo: Thu Thuy/VOV) |
Kha hamlet of Sap Vat commune has 90 households, among them there’re 420 Thai people. The charming natural landscapes, old stilt houses, mango and tamarind orchards, and vast rice fields along the Vat stream create a truly vintage vibe.
The villagers still uphold their traditional culture and customs, such as singing folk songs, playing traditional musical instruments, weaving and embroidering Pieu scarves, and making daily-life items from bamboo and rattan.
80-year-old Quang Van Phanh said festivals and rituals are celebrated every year: “We hold annual ceremonies to pray for good health and prosperity, a good harvest, and healthy livestock free of disease.”
To develop community tourism, people have refurbished their houses and public areas and built a parking lot and reception area from which tourists are taken to the village by electric cars.
Households in Kha village have been trained to do community tourism. Qualified families open homestays and ethnic cuisine restaurants. Others weave and embroider scarves and clothing, and make bamboo and rattan items for sale as souvenirs. The village has two art troupes to entertain visitors with folk songs and dances.
 Kha villagers practice performance to entertain tourists. (photo: Thu Thuy/VOV) |
Villager Vi Thi Thanh said: “My family registered to open a homestay. We bought new bedding sets for our guests and we serve them typical Thai dishes such as papaya soup, boiled young bamboo shoots, and grilled chicken and fish.”
Quang Van Chien, Vice Chairman of Sap Vat commune’s People’s Committee, told VOV: “We worked with consultants to survey and re-build local roads and alleys. We established a tourism cooperative where people can share their experience.”
Lu Van Cuong, Chairman of Yen Chau district’s People’s Committee, said they are developing a set of criteria for community tourism and organizing training courses on code of conducts, communications and business activities.
“We plan to take villagers to tourist areas that are similar to Kha village, and introduce them to tourism guidance programs."
Yen Chau district has mapped out a plan for preserving and promoting the cultures of the Mong, Xinh Mun, and other ethnic groups so visitors can experience the authentic cultural lifestyle of the local people.