In Chiềng Yên commune, Vân Hồ district, Sơn La province, there is a heritage agricultural village – Bướt village, the first tourism model in our country that combines tourism with the preservation of indigenous agricultural knowledge. In this space almost completely isolated from modern life, one is immersed in pristine nature, curious and eager to learn about ancient farming practices.

The cool, refreshing stream winding through the village is the children's favorite spot.

About the heritage agricultural village

On National Highway 6 heading northwest, after passing Mai Chau district (Hoa Binh province), we enter Van Ho district (Son La province); the small concrete road gradually descends in altitude, winding through the forest canopy. The further we go, the more densely packed the forest trees become, layer upon layer; wild plants and vines intertwine, and only occasionally do we see a narrow path, making the intense summer sun seem to fall away from the highway. The air gradually cools, the refreshing, pure coolness of the old forest permeates our senses. After about 2km, we reach Buot village. The village is nestled in a valley, blending in with the forest canopy.

The village consists of only about 60 houses. The Thai and Muong people have settled here for a very long time. Both the Thai and Muong people are communities that live by water, so it's easy to understand why the village is called Buot (a phonetic variation of "wet"). The stream winding around the village, along with the old-growth forest, is the first criterion for Buot village to be recognized as a "heritage agricultural village".

The people of Bản Bướt live in harmony, nestled alongside the streams and forests. In summer, nothing beats the feeling of standing on the bridge leading into the village and jumping into the clear blue water. Those who can't swim can choose a shallow section of the stream to wade in or rent a kayak from the Đồng Rừng Cooperative – where the villagers have joined together to develop tourism.

The stream is full of fish and snails, but only snails are allowed, not fish, because for decades, the village of Bướt has not only preserved the forest trees and layered vegetation but also established a village agreement to protect the stream and its fish – anyone caught catching fish in the stream by the villagers will have to pay a fine.

In Buot village, you can bathe in the stream and the forest at the same time.

On chilly days, a leisurely stroll from the center of Buot village, until your body starts to warm up, leads you to the Bo Am hot spring. For just 30,000 VND per ticket, you can immerse yourself in the warm, crystal-clear water. The spring flows in three tiers, each with a different temperature, so you can choose the right temperature depending on the outside temperature and your own body temperature.

All three levels of the stream seem to be surrounded by nature: on one side is a cliff with lush patches of ferns and low-lying vegetation. The more you look up, the more you see the verdant old-growth forest. At eye level – on this side – is a green field. In the distance are scattered stilt houses with thatched roofs. The stream's banks are also skillfully "lined" by the locals with pebbles. In this space, you feel as if you are a part of nature.

The pristine forest here is also an ideal choice for "forest bathing." While leisurely walking through the forest or standing under ancient, moss-covered trees, everyone silently admires each canopy, listening to the rustling of leaves blending with the wind and the chirping of birds near and far.

That very… forest atmosphere completely captivated the senses, reminiscent of the explanation by biologist Eowilson. He believed that the need to “bathe in the forest” stemmed from the natural evolutionary process of humankind. We are part of the natural world. Our rhythm is the rhythm of nature. And love for the natural world is inherent in our genes, passed down from generation to generation.

Integrate into the local life.

Campfire night, dancing the xòe dance with the women in the village.

Because this is a border region, the local Thai and Muong people have a mix of Thai and Muong characteristics from Hoa Binh and Son La. However, this is a distinctive feature of the local community. Initially, you might be slightly disappointed or let down because very few people in Buot village wear their traditional clothing (except for the elderly). But after interacting and talking with the locals, you'll find that their genuine warmth and hospitality remain intact. Remarkably, even after five years of community-based tourism, the villagers haven't been negatively affected by the downsides of this "smoke-free" industry.

During the day, if you're not bathing in the streams or forests, or going to see the Fairy Waterfall or soaking in the Warm Cow hot springs, you can stay at the cooperative headquarters and learn from the women how to make snail cakes, cook five-colored sticky rice, or join the women in the village to go to the rice fields, tea plantations, or vegetable gardens...

After five years of returning to traditional farming methods, the ecosystem in the rice fields of Buot village is gradually reviving. Various insects, butterflies, frogs, toads, beetles, minnows, and other crustaceans are reappearing, just like in childhood memories. The once finicky freshwater shrimp, which couldn't survive even with slightly polluted water, are now thriving in the canals winding through the rice paddies.

Learn to bake with moms and grandmothers.

Here, many women are not only skilled farmers but also tour guides and chefs for the Dong Rung Tourism Cooperative. Some even own guesthouses and provide services to tourists. I was surprised to see Ms. Ha Thi Duyen cooking in the kitchen of the Dong Rung Cooperative, because just that morning I had seen her tanned face and smiling face busily weeding the rice paddies. In the evening, when only the center of the village – the cooperative's headquarters – was brightly lit, the women gracefully wore traditional blouses and headscarves, moving with elegant dances. As the campfire blazed, their genuine, simple smiles added to the atmosphere, fostering a sense of camaraderie. Both hosts and guests held hands, moving rhythmically to the Xoe dance, then joining in the Sap dance.

Many villagers called each other to attend. On their kind faces were ever-present smiles, and their eyes sparkled with the firelight. For everyone, the night of the traditional dance welcoming guests always retained the same spirit of hospitality. For years now, the grandmothers and mothers have been present at every dance night. The children followed their grandmothers and mothers; their eyes were all innocent and clear.

At every meal, guests are always impressed by the women's cooking skills. Everyone asks what kind of rice they use, because the rice is flavorful, has just the right texture, and doesn't become mushy even when served with soup, unlike many sticky rice varieties on the market. The women proudly reply, "It's rice from our production group."

To restore this native rice variety, the cooperative put in a great deal of effort. Only when the food and supplies for tourists came directly from the cooperative's production groups did the villagers realize how valuable these native crops were. I still remember when I left the village center, Ms. Ha Thi Duyen hurriedly ran after me, thrusting some herbs into my hand: "These are the herbs you asked about yesterday; I don't know their common names. I just hope they'll also thrive in the lowland soil."

Bản Bướt has left me with such warmth, enthusiasm, innocence, and intimacy!

Wang Yu