The traditional stilt houses nestled on the mountainside, the sounds of the bamboo flute, the Xoe dance, meals imbued with the flavors of the mountains and forests, and the peaceful rhythm of life of the ethnic minorities are becoming the unique attractions of Son La tourism. Recognizing the trend of experiential tourism, many localities have developed homestay models linked to the preservation of traditional culture, creating jobs, increasing income for the people, and contributing to the preservation of traditional cultural values.
The people of Ta Xua commune are developing homestays while preserving the cultural identity of the Mong ethnic group.
Known for its sea of clouds, pristine forests, and year-round cool climate, Ta Xua commune is increasingly attracting tourists who love exploring nature and experiencing local culture. Besides the beauty of the mountains and forests, homestays run by the Mong ethnic group offer visitors the opportunity to enjoy traditional cuisine, savor ancient Shan Tuyet tea, learn about embroidery, the art of Hmong flute dancing, and feel the peaceful rhythm of life in the highland villages. These authentically preserved cultural values have created a unique appeal, contributing to the flourishing community tourism in Ta Xua. Ta Xua currently has 148 tourism service businesses, including 88 households operating community homestays. In the first six months of 2026, the commune welcomed nearly 56,000 visitors, with estimated tourism revenue reaching 54 billion VND, contributing to job creation and increased income for many households.
Ms. Cam Thi Phuong Thuy, a tourist from Hanoi, shared: "I was very impressed with the natural scenery, the sea of clouds, and the hospitality of the people of Ta Xua. Staying in a homestay, enjoying traditional cuisine, and experiencing the culture of the Mong people helped me understand more about life in the highlands. This was a very memorable trip."
Homestays prioritize preserving the unique character of each accommodation space.
In Ngoc Chien commune, the advantages of natural resources and cultural identity are being leveraged to develop community tourism. Natural hot springs, centuries-old houses with thatched roofs made of Pơ Mu wood, and the peaceful village atmosphere have become highlights attracting tourists. In recent years, the locality has promoted village beautification, invested in infrastructure, built tourist attractions, and gradually improved service quality, creating momentum for sustainable tourism development.
Kiem Lai Homestay in Na Tau village is one of the typical models of community tourism in Ngoc Chien. Built in the traditional stilt house architecture of the Thai ethnic group using Pơ Mu wood, the homestay combines accommodation, food, and cultural exchange, welcoming nearly 500 guests each year and providing regular employment for 3 local workers. Ms. Lo Thi Lai, the owner of the homestay, shared: "We always preserve the stilt house space and traditional cultural features so that tourists can have authentic experiences. As tourism develops, people have more income and become more conscious of preserving the cultural identity of their ethnic group."
The green spaces at the homestay offer a welcoming experience for guests.
Currently, Ngoc Chien commune has 35 homestays and guesthouses, serving approximately 120,000 visitors annually, generating about 10 billion VND in tourism revenue. Unlike many destinations that have developed in a modern direction, the homestays in Ngoc Chien still preserve traditional architecture, creating a unique feature for community tourism. Visitors can enjoy hot spring baths, savor ethnic cuisine, learn about traditional crafts, and experience the cultural life of the local people. The local authorities also regularly organize professional training to improve service skills, gradually enhancing service quality and building an image of a friendly and professional destination.
The province currently has 644 tourist accommodation establishments. From the beginning of the year until now, Son La has welcomed approximately 3.4 million visitors, generating revenue of nearly 3,490 billion VND. These figures demonstrate the increasing attractiveness of tourism products associated with nature and cultural identity, creating momentum for localities to continue developing sustainable community tourism, contributing to raising people's income and promoting the image of Son La to domestic and international tourists.
Traditional stilt houses have become popular accommodation options for tourists.
Ms. Le Thi Hong Anh, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said: Community tourism is contributing to creating jobs, increasing income for people, and preserving and promoting the cultural identity of ethnic groups. In the coming time, the industry will continue to support improving the quality of services, developing experiential tourism products associated with local culture, aiming to build sustainable tourism in Son La.
By effectively leveraging the advantages of natural landscapes and cultural identity, community-based tourism is becoming a sustainable direction for Son La's tourism. When local people are both the custodians of culture and the direct beneficiaries of tourism development, highland villages gain further impetus for economic development, preserve traditional values, and contribute to building a more professional, attractive, and sustainable tourism industry in Son La.
Thu Huyen