Why were Lo Lo Chai and Quynh Son chosen as the best tourist villages in the world in 2025?

The selection of Lo Lo Chai and Quynh Son as the World's Best Tourist Villages demonstrates international recognition of Vietnam's efforts in preserving indigenous cultural values ​​and developing sustainable tourism.

Vietnam has just had two representatives receive the "Best Tourist Village 2025" Award from the United Nations Tourism Organization.

They are Lo Lo Chai village (Tuyen Quang province) and Quynh Son Community Tourism Village ( Lang Son province).

The UN Tourism “Best Tourist Village” award aims to enhance the role of tourism in protecting rural villages, including landscapes, knowledge systems, biodiversity and culture, local activities including agriculture, forestry, livestock, fisheries and cuisine .

According to UN Tourism, more than 270 applications from 65 member countries were submitted to the competition. Of these, 52 villages were selected for the award based on nine strict criteria, including conservation of natural and cultural resources, environmental sustainability, local economic development, infrastructure, governance, and contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The two selected locations in Vietnam are a testament to the outstanding values, rich natural and cultural resources, and the commitments and efforts in sustainable tourism development of these two localities.

The award is not only a source of pride for the two localities but also demonstrates the international recognition of Vietnam's efforts in preserving and conserving indigenous cultural values; developing sustainable, community-based tourism and services.

Lo Lo Chai village in Lung Cu commune, Tuyen Quang province, is located amidst majestic natural scenery combined with the unique cultural identity of the Lo Lo people.

Yin-yang tiled roofs, typical of Lo Lo houses in Lo Lo Chai village. (Photo: Khanh Hoa/VNA)

This place preserves many unique cultural values ​​of the Lo Lo people with ancient yin-yang tiled roofed rammed earth houses.

People here still preserve traditional crafts, weave brocade costumes with sophisticated patterns, organize festivals to pray for good crops, housewarming ceremonies and many community activities typical of the Lo Lo people.

In recent years, the people of Lo Lo Chai have changed dramatically, developing a community tourism model. The ancient houses have been renovated to suit tourists but still retain their traditional spirit.

Visitors coming here not only get to relax in the pristine space but also experience border life, cooking with the locals, pounding rice cakes, embroidering brocade, listening to flutes and folk dances.

Tourism has become a driving force for people to preserve old values, restore beautiful customs, and improve economic life. Each visitor to Lo Lo Chai is a part of the sustainable development story of this land, where indigenous culture is preserved by the livelihood of the people.

Thanks to that, the cultural space and pristine landscape of the village are preserved and conserved, while contributing to promoting sustainable tourism development associated with the unique identity of the local people.

Quynh Son Community Tourism Village is located in Bac Son commune, Lang Son province, within the Bac Son Uprising National Special Relic Site and Lang Son UNESCO Global Geopark.

This place is famous for its beautiful natural landscape, preserving the traditional Tay culture with wooden stilt houses, Tinh lute sounds, Then singing and living customs bearing the mark of the mountainous region.

The community tourism model in Quynh Son is systematically implemented, with the participation of local people, giving tourists the opportunity to learn about indigenous cultural life.

Tay people's wedding at Quynh Son Community Tourism Village, Lang Son province. (Photo: Quang Cuong/VNA)

Visitors here can stay overnight in a stilt house, join the locals in agricultural production, weaving, making corn wine, preparing special dishes, or join in the Long Tong festival, singing then, and dancing in the middle of the green rice valley.

Not only creating livelihoods for local people, the Quynh Son community tourism model also helps preserve folk knowledge, maintain ancient stilt house architecture and natural landscapes.

The way of doing tourism here emphasizes the harmony between people and nature, between conservation and development. Thanks to that, Quynh Son has become a model of effective community tourism, recognized by international organizations.

Up to now, Vietnam has had 05 tourist villages recognized by UN Tourism as “Best Tourist Villages,” including Tan Hoa Village (Quang Tri), Thai Hai Village (Thai Nguyen), Tra Que Vegetable Village (Da Nang), Lo Lo Chai Village (Tuyen Quang) and Quynh Son Community Tourism Village (Lang Son)./.

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/vi-sao-lo-lo-chai-va-quynh-son-duoc-chon-la-lang-du-lich-tot-nhat-the-gioi-nam-2025-post1071286.vnp