At the end of April 2025, the Vietnam Record Organization recognized Muong Lay ward as having the highest density of traditional stilt houses of the Thai ethnic group in Vietnam.
This is an important recognition, both honoring unique cultural values and opening up opportunities to promote the community tourism brand in the Muong Lay river area.
According to statistics, Muong Lay ward currently has about 1,192 traditional stilt houses of the White Thai people, reaching a density of about 10.58 houses/km2.
This is a density of stilt houses that is superior to that of similar localities where the Thai ethnic group in the White Thai ethnic group is living.
Muong Lay ward is the cradle of the Thai ethnic group, the White Thai ethnic group in the Northwest, accounting for 44.5% of the population (before July 1, 2025, Muong Lay town had nearly 70% of the population of the Thai ethnic group). Therefore, Thai culture has permeated all aspects of the lives of the people here.
Traditional stilt houses, with unique architecture that has existed for hundreds of years and been passed down through many generations, are the most obvious cultural symbol of the community.
When coming to Muong Lay, visitors will be impressed by the image of the stilt houses planned to be airy and airy along the Son La hydroelectric reservoir.
To build a stilt house, the White Thai people have to go through a process of selecting and preparing elaborate materials, mainly wood to build frames and roofing materials such as tiles, black stone or corrugated iron.
Not only a living space, the stilt house is also the center of cultural and spiritual life. This is where important rituals such as new house celebrations, weddings, and traditional festivals take place.
Setting a record is expected to create a boost for Muong Lay tourism. This locality already possesses many cultural heritages and diverse natural potential.
Accordingly, Muong Lay currently owns 3 provincial-level relics (Lai Chau Prison Historical Site, Pu Vap Historical Site, Ban Bac Cave Scenic Scenic Landscape Site) and 3 national intangible cultural heritages (Then Kin Pang of the White Thai People's Festival, Phai Thai Art, Traditional knowledge of the Cinnamon and Banh Doan making profession, Banh Chi Ap of the White Thai People).
In addition, the advantage of natural landscape with the large Son La hydroelectric reservoir, considered "Ha Long on the elevation", opens up favorable conditions for Muong Lay to exploit river tourism, trekking, camping, paragliding, exploring caves and primeval forests.
Muong Lay ward was established on the basis of merging Song Da ward, Na Lay ward, Lay Nua commune (belonging to the old Muong Lay town) and Sa Tong commune (old Muong Cha district). After the arrangement, the ward has a natural area of over 222 km2; the population is over 18,200 people.
