Son La province is home to approximately 3,380 Lao people, mainly concentrated in border districts such as Sop Cop and Song Ma. Among them, Muong Va village in Muong Va commune, Sop Cop district, is a prime example of preserving and promoting the traditional Lao cultural identity, gradually moving towards developing community tourism linked to traditional agriculture and crafts.
Muong Va commune viewed from above.
Preserving culture, unleashing potential.
The Lao people in Son La have a rich cultural life with traditional stilt houses, clothing similar to the Black Thai but still possessing unique characteristics: black skirts embroidered with colorful patterns, fitted blouses with silver buttons, headscarves, and floral tattoos on the backs of women's hands. These hallmarks not only reflect their aesthetic taste but also their connection to nature and traditional beliefs such as animism, ancestor worship, and the profound influence of Buddhism.
The Lam Vong dance—a prominent cultural and spiritual symbol—often appears at festivals, weddings, and important events, with its light and graceful movements in a circle of unity. Along with this, a treasure trove of folk songs, traditional musical instruments, and handicrafts such as brocade weaving, basket weaving, and silversmithing are still maintained in many villages, especially in Muong Va village.
With over 1,000 Lao ethnic people living there, Muong Va village stands out not only for its rich cultural life but also for its unique landscape and architecture. At the center of the village, the Muong Va Tower – an ancient and sacred architectural structure built on an artificial hill – is a spiritual highlight and a major attraction for tourists. This structure was recognized as a National Architectural and Artistic Monument in 1998.
The people of Muong Va village still preserve their traditional stilt houses. These long-roofed wooden houses nestle beside the Pu Hong Lok mountain range and the Nam Ca stream, creating a peaceful and pristine landscape. Surrounding the village are fertile fields and a system of natural ponds and lakes, ideal for agricultural tourism and exploring the daily life of the ethnic minority people.
The Lao ethnic minority people of Muong Va and Muong Lan communes, Sop Cop district, also participate in promoting their culture at the Vietnam Ethnic Groups Cultural and Tourism Village.
Lao traditional clothing is brightly colored, dyed with plant extracts from the forest, and hand-embroidered on silk, linen, or cotton fabrics. The people still maintain the tradition of harvesting cotton, weaving fabric, and tailoring by hand. Ms. Vi Thi Chan, an artisan in Muong Va village, shared: "For hundreds of years, the craft of weaving brocade has been passed down from generation to generation. The patterns on the brocade fabrics woven by the Lao people in Muong Va village are like a wordless book telling the story of our lives, nature, and aspirations. It takes about a month to complete each outfit."
Implementing the rural tourism development project in Muong Va, local people received training in welcoming guests and organizing experiential activities such as learning brocade weaving, cooking traditional dishes, and performing ethnic dances. With the development of tourism, many households in the village have gained additional income from selling brocade products, bamboo-cooked rice, and smoked buffalo meat. In 2024, the village welcomed over 3,000 visitors, generating nearly 1 billion VND in revenue, and the poverty rate decreased from 25% to 15%.”
Cuisine is also a highlight of the village, with a blend of Lao and Thai cultures, from traditional dishes to cooking methods and the stories associated with them. Specialties such as Muong Va sticky rice – an OCOP product of Son La province – are gradually establishing their brand and commercialization potential.
Leveraging cultural identity to develop community tourism.
Currently, Muong Va village still maintains two major festivals: Xen Muong and Khau Ho Tet - the New Rice Festival on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. This is a unique harvest prayer ritual, reflecting the connection between people and nature, hoping for favorable weather and a prosperous life. In recent years, Khau Ho Tet has attracted many tourists to experience the traditional cultural space, enjoy folk songs, Lam Vong dances, watch weaving and basketry demonstrations, and participate in community activities. In addition, the village could develop more festivals such as the traditional New Year celebration, the rice planting festival, the sticky rice harvest festival, etc., to increase its tourism appeal.
Leveraging its cultural and natural potential, since 2023, Sop Cop district has implemented a project to develop rural tourism models in Muong Va. The project helps promote the image of the village and supports local people in increasing their income. Mr. Lo Van Thinh, head of Muong Va village, said that people have received training in welcoming guests and organizing experiential activities such as learning to weave brocade, cook traditional dishes, and perform ethnic dances. With the development of tourism, many households in Muong Va have earned additional income from selling brocade products, sticky rice cooked in bamboo tubes, and smoked buffalo meat. In 2024, the village welcomed over 3,000 visitors, generating nearly 1 billion VND in revenue, and the poverty rate decreased from 25% to 15%.
Introducing Lao ethnic culture at the "Common House"
Since December 2023, Lao artisans from Muong Va and Muong Lan have also participated in promoting their culture at the Vietnam Ethnic Groups Cultural and Tourism Village (Dong Mo, Hanoi), contributing to introducing their ethnic identity to domestic and international tourists.
It is understood that in the near future, the local authorities will help Muong Va boost tourism during the festival season, enhance promotion on social media, and attract investment in infrastructure. Community tourism not only preserves the cultural identity of the Lao ethnic group but also opens up a sustainable development direction for the border region.