Traditional cultural values of Muong people have been preserved well in Chien hamlet, Van Son commune, Tan Lac district, Hoa Binh province. Located about 4 km away from the commune’s centre and at an altitude of 800 m above sea level, Chien hamlet is known as a peaceful and beautiful Muong village.
Villagers in Chien hamlet perform a Muong dance to serve tourists at Hai Than homestay.
Visitors to Chien hamlet are much impressed by the simple beauty of the stilt houses in a spacious highland scenery and the hospitality of local villagers. Tran Tuan Viet, a tourist from Hanoi said that local people are so friendly and sociable. During his two-day stay in the hamlet, he enjoyed the fresh air, explored Nam Son cave, contemplated three ancient lychee trees, and particularly he had a chance to try delicious local food.
In 2019, Chien hamlet received financial support from the Australian Foundation for the Peoples of Asia and the Pacific to implement the project "Improving Sustainable Livelihoods through Community-based Tourism Development". Under the project, three households in the hamlet were chosen to develop homestay services namely Hai Than, Xuan Truong, and Thu Bi homestays.
Doing community-based tourism, villagers are engaged more in preserving cultural identities to create attractive products to visitors. Ha Van Hun, Secretary of the Chien hamlet Party cell, said that the hamlet is home to nearly 80 households with about 400 people, most of them are from the Muong ethnic group. Local people mostly do farming work.
Since the community-based tourism model was developed in the hamlet, local people have paid more attention to promoting cultural identity, especially in communications, customs, and costumes. They also care more about protecting the environment and keeping village roads/alleys bright and clean.
Being formed later than other community tourism destinations in the district and province, Chien hamlet quickly became one of the most popular tourist destinations thanks to its advantages in weather and culture.
Coming to the hamlet, tourists can visit the national scenic spot Nam Son cave, the relic site of Nui Kien cave, and learn about biodiversity and natural landscapes. The hamlet is also home to a vast ancient tangerine hill which turns more attractive during harvest season at the end of the year.
Visitors can also explore the Van Son market fair, which takes place every Tuesday and offers agricultural products such as Bac Son purple garlic, Quyet Chien off-season vegetables and fruits, herbs, wild bamboo shoots, tea, chicken, Ngo Luong native pig, and Huop Lung Van wine.
