Tourism changes villages

PlateauMoc Chau, Son La province has long possessed the pristine beauty of mountains and forests, with a cool climate, poetic landscapes and unique cultural identities of ethnic minorities. These unique advantages are becoming a strong attraction, holding domestic and foreign tourists to come and explore and experience.

Moc Chau brocade is being preserved and its value is being promoted. Photo: Hong Tuoi

Based on potential advantages and cultural identity, the community tourism model in Moc Chau has developed strongly, creating a unique attraction compared to many other localities. One of the bright spots of Moc Chau is Vat village - the place chosen to pilot the community tourism model. Here, households are trained in tourism skills, redecorate their houses and introduce traditional cuisine to serve tourists. Up to now, Vat village has 30 households doing homestay, attracting a large number of tourists to visit and relax.

The development of tourism has changed the appearance of the village. People have raised their awareness of environmental protection, the landscape is neatly arranged and clean. The roads are full of flowers, the synchronous lighting system makes the village spacious, meeting the criteria of new rural areas. According to the assessment, community tourism here not only brings a stable source of income but also opens up opportunities to preserve and promote the traditional cultural values ​​of ethnic minorities.

Thai ethnic villages with unique stilt house architecture, typical cultural spaces and traditional festivals… become special highlights. Mass art troupes and folk performances associated with daily life are included in tourism activities, helping visitors have a vivid and authentic experience. Thereby, Moc Chau community tourism does not stop at tourism but is also closely linked to preserving the cultural soul of the nation.

Colorful brocade, an attractive gift for tourists. Photo: Hong Tuoi

Brocade spreads cultural identity

One of the clear achievements that community tourism brings to Moc Chau people is having more opportunities to preserve, conserve and promote special handicraft products.traditional brocade.

From Ang village, Vat village, Doi village, the Thai brocade weaving profession has existed for hundreds of years. The skillful hands of Thai women create Pieu scarves, Com shirts, handbags, curtains, tablecloths... with delicate patterns and bright, suitable colors. Since the wind of tourism has come to the village, this is the product that tourists favor when stopping by.

On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of National Day, Vat village is even more brilliant with brocade colors, blending with the colors of the national flag, making tourists' footsteps more excited.

Sharing with Cong Thuong Newspaper, Ms. Luong Thi Huong Tuoi - owner of Hong Tuoi homestay in Vat village enthusiastically said that currently, about 40% of households in Vat village participate in introducing brocade products to tourists. This is a way for people to not only preserve traditional crafts but also turn brocade into an economic product to serve tourism development.

It can be said that, facing the risk of traditional handicrafts being lost due to pressure from industrial products and changes in modern life. However, thanks to the connection with community tourism, this product is being strongly revived. Local traditional craftsmen not only maintain the tradition but also aim to make brocade a typical tourist product of Moc Chau.

Along with tourism, brocade is contributing to creating livelihoods for the community. Photo: Hong Tuoi

In particular, up to now, along with the development of community tourism, brocade products introduced at homestays, fairs, and festivals have brought in income, contributing to improving the lives of people in Moc Chau plateau.

Currently, in Moc Chau, many traditional craft cooperatives have also had more favorable conditions to operate, with upcoming orientations to open vocational training classes for people, organize brocade weaving experiences for tourists. This is a way to both pass on the profession, keep the passion alive, create more livelihoods and attract tourists to Moc Chau plateau.

Brocade fabrics are not only handicraft products but also cultural witnesses, telling stories about the life and soul of the ethnic people.Thai ethnic group. Development practice in Moc Chau shows that combining cultural preservation with tourism exploitation is the right direction.

The brilliance of brocade not only beautifies the tourism picture of Moc Chau plateau but also opens up opportunities for sustainable economic development, helping ethnic minorities here to both preserve their culture and improve their lives. And when brocade is no longer limited to village life, this traditional product is also a "cultural ambassador" of the Moc Chau plateau people in the new era of the nation.

With the direction of turning tourism into an economic lever, Moc Chau community tourism will be a bridge for traditional brocade to be preserved, its value promoted, contributing to creating sustainable livelihoods for people in the highlands.