Community-based tourism in Nam Dam village – a spectacular experience for visitors

Nam Dam Village – a picturesque village surrounded by great mountains of Ha Giang province. The village is located about 45 km from Ha Giang city and close to some tourist favorite destinations of the province such as Quan Ba Twin Mountain and Quan Ba Heaven Gate. The village not only is a ideal stopover among tourist attractions but also a place to experience unique natural and cultural traits.

From 2012 to 2014, Caritas Organization (Switzerland) collaborated with the Center for People and Nature (PanNature) chose Nam Dam as the place to implement a community development project. The project has supported local people to develop tourism products such as trekking routes, organizing tours, building attractions, homestays and improve their tourism skills.

Currently, Nam Dam village has about 60 households and 40 of them provide homestay services. This place is becoming more visible because of its hospitality and cozy space which surrounded by primeval forests and fertile terraced fields. In addition, Dao ethnic minority people still retain their cultural identity, which is reflected in lifestyle, cuisine, art forms and housing architecture – built from local and recycle materials to create a “green” and friendly space.

Visitors will probably be excited knowing its tourism management. Accordingly, tourism households formed a communal fund and have to deduct a partial income into it. This fund will be spent on operating cultural activities and general security of the village. For example, whether tourists stay at Mr. Dao’s homstay or Mr. Thang’s homstay (households in the village), they also contribute to the community.

This is an efficient and sustainable management paradigm. If you have a chance, you must definitely visit Nam Dam village to fully appreciate it.