Xom Mo - A typical example of community tourism development from the cultural identity of the Muong ethnic group

We had the opportunity to return to visit Mo hamlet, Thung Nai commune on a clear autumn day in early October. The road along the hillside, over a bridge over the stream led us to a small hamlet opening up a peaceful scene with traditional stilt houses lying close together at the foot of Mo mountain, rice fields gradually turning golden mixed with the green of the mountains and forests. The fresh air, the bustling sound of gongs and drums were like a warm invitation from the Muong people here.

Xom Mo, Thung Nai commune preserves traditional stilt houses and Muong ethnic identity to develop community tourism .

During the trip, we met a group of tourists from Hanoi . Ms. Nguyen Thu Hang, a member of the group, shared: “We learned about Xom Mo through the introduction of friends. The most impressive thing is the simplicity but friendliness of the people. Here, we not only sleep in stilt houses, eat bamboo rice, stream fish, but also participate in brocade weaving, enjoy unique performances of the Muong ethnic group. The feeling is very different from a simple resort trip, here we can live and experience daily work with the people”. Those experiences make tourists want to come back many times, at the same time helping Xom Mo continue to develop community tourism associated with preserving unique culture.

Luan Oanh Homestay, Mo Hamlet, Thung Nai Commune welcomes tourists.

We visited Luan Oanh homestay, one of the most well-invested, spacious and cleanest households in the village. Mr. Dinh Quang Sinh said: "Our Muong Giang Mo village has welcomed tourists to visit for a long time. From 1979 - 1980, when the Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant was built, Soviet experts came to the village every weekend to rest and visit. In the 1990s, my family still welcomed many French tourists to visit and experience. Currently, there are fewer foreign visitors, mainly domestic visitors. In 2019, the family invested in building a communal stilt house and 2 closed rooms to meet the increasing needs of tourists."

Xom Mo currently has 195 households with 735 people, of which the Muong ethnic group accounts for 98%. Through many historical changes, the people here still preserve traditional cultural values ​​from stilt house architecture, customs, cuisine to language, folk songs, and folk dances. Currently, the central area of ​​Xom Mo has 30 households, of which 14 households meet the standards to welcome tourists.

Households doing community tourism in Mo hamlet are supported with trash cans to help ensure environmental sanitation.

In particular, the National Target Program for Socio-Economic Development in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas for the 2021-2025 period has significantly contributed to improving the lives of people in Mo hamlet. Thanks to the attention and support of the State, many production models associated with cultural preservation have been implemented. People are trained in livestock and crop farming techniques, and are supported in connecting to the market, forming community production groups, cooperatives, and agricultural cooperatives. Support for landscape beautification and waste collection is also implemented in the area. In addition to stable income, more importantly, these models are closely linked to community tourism, helping to preserve Muong identity through agricultural products, cuisine and traditional crafts.

According to Mr. Dinh Van Dan, Head of Mo Hamlet: “The national target program has brought great resources to the people. Not only supporting the construction of infrastructure, barns, production models, but importantly, encouraging people to promote traditional culture, training in community tourism. From gongs, dances to brocade weaving, making bamboo rice... all become tourism products. Thanks to that, people's lives are increasingly improved. The average income is over 41 million VND/person/year. The whole hamlet still has 4 poor households, 2 near-poor households”.

A proud mark is that in 2025, Mo hamlet was awarded a Certificate of Merit by the Prime Minister for implementing the National Target Program on Socio-Economic Development for Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas for the period 2021 - 2025. This is a worthy recognition of the efforts of the government and people in preserving and promoting Muong cultural identity associated with economic development and community tourism.

Mr. Dinh Van Dan added: “We identify cultural preservation as the root, tourism development as the tip. Only with identity can there be tourism, and only with tourism can life be improved. Therefore, we always encourage people to preserve the stilt houses, language, customs, and at the same time learn how to do tourism more professionally. In the future, we hope that the State will continue to pay attention to investing in infrastructure, supporting human resource training, and promoting the image so that Xom Mo becomes an attractive destination on the community tourism map.”

Leaving Xom Mo when the sunset falls on the valley, the sound of gongs echoing between the mountains and forests makes people feel more attached. What is happening here is a testament to the harmonious combination between conservation and development. With the attention of the Party and the State, the efforts of the local government and the solidarity of the people, Xom Mo is gradually affirming the brand of community tourism associated with the preservation of Muong culture - a sustainable direction for the future.

Huong Lan

Source: https://baophutho.vn/xom-mo-dien-hinh-phat-trien-du-lich-cong-dong-tu-ban-sac-van-hoa-dan-toc-muong-240489.htm