The dream of starting a business from indigenous culture

Graduated from Thai Nguyen University Branch in Lao Cai, Than Thi Duyen used to work for a number of tourism companies in and outside the province. Three years of traveling helped her approach many tourism development models, but also urged Duyen to realize the great potential right in her hometown.

“Through my trips, I realized that Bac Ha has a cool climate, majestic landscapes, friendly people, and unique culture. Therefore, I decided to return to start a business, both to develop local tourism, create income for my family, and preserve national identity” - Duyen shared.

On her family's land, Duyen built three wooden houses, inspired by the image of pack horses, a familiar image of the white plateau, to serve tourists. Not only accommodation, Duyen's farmstay - Bac Ha Horse Farm also opens many cultural experiences such as xoe dancing, processing and enjoying cuisine with the locals.

With the desire to create a unique mark, taking advantage of the available local advantages, Duyen built horse riding tours. Pack horses familiar with the highland lifestyle are trained to take visitors to explore Bac Ha.

Half-day or full-day horseback riding packages have become a signature product of the farmstay. Visitors can lead the horses themselves, ride them, breathe the fresh air and admire the majestic scenery, before returning to the village to enjoy traditional cuisine and watch xoe dance with the locals.

Mr. Mai Hoang Van, a tourist from Thanh Hoa, shared: I have been to many famous tourist destinations, but Bac Ha has a completely different experience. Riding a horse, enjoying local cuisine, watching xoe dance amidst beautiful natural scenery, I found it very interesting. The people here are very friendly. I will definitely introduce Bac Ha to my friends to experience.

What is special is that Duyen often invites villagers to perform arts, and also mobilizes households with horses to serve large groups, creating livelihoods for the community. It is the way of working closely with the culture and local people that has helped her model quickly affirm its position on the Bac Ha community tourism map.

Last August, Duyen’s farmstay was also chosen by singer Trang Phap as the setting for the MV “Mai la nguoi Viet Nam”. When released, the MV quickly spread on social networks, contributing to promoting the image of Bac Ha to the public.

Chairman of Bac Ha Commune People's Committee - Mr. Bui Minh Hai said: We encourage and facilitate community tourism models like that of Than Thi Duyen. This is a direction that both develops the economy, preserves culture, and creates jobs for people. The initial success of the farmstay shows that local youth can absolutely start a business in their hometown if they have determination and the right approach.

According to Mr. Hai, in the coming time, Bac Ha commune will continue to support and accompany households, gradually expanding the model, towards the goal of building Bac Ha into a national tourist destination.

Not stopping at the initial results, Duyen wants to expand the farmstay into a chain of experiences, with the participation of many households: If only one family does it, the attraction will be limited. I hope that more young people will join to make the community tourism products richer and more attractive. I will also actively build many beautiful video clips about indigenous culture and local tourist attractions to promote on digital platforms, hoping that more and more tourists will come to Bac Ha...

From a small idea, Than Thi Duyen’s farmstay has become a testament to the vitality of the community tourism model, where the economy is closely linked to culture. The journey of the Nung girl not only shows her love for her homeland but also opens up a direction for sustainable development for tourism in the white plateau of Bac Ha.

Presented by Hoang Thu

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/giac-mo-khoi-nghiep-tu-van-hoa-ban-dia-post883983.html