From "rough pearl"
In the journey to explore Dien Bien, if milestone No. 0 A Pa Chai (sin Thau commune) is a sacred destination in the far West of the Fatherland, Na Su village (formerly Cha Nua commune, old Nam Po district) now Muong Cha commune, Dien Bien province is an ideal stop.
Not only is it the first community tourism village in the old Nam Po border district, Na Su is also a vivid picture of the aspiration to escape poverty, rising to get rich from the cultural identity of the Thai ethnic group, the Thai White industry.
From the provincial center, down National Highway 4H nearly 130km, passing through the typical winding mountain passes of the Northwest, visitors will see the road passing through the terraced fields covered with red flags with yellow stars on the Nam Bai River.
The road leading to the small village is beautiful, cared for and meticulously decorated by the people to welcome visitors. Profesion is present from the first steps.
In front of each traditional stilt house, there are wooden signs and QR Codes. With just a simple scan, visitors can grasp all the information about households, accommodation services and necessary instructions. something that few community tourism villages in the mountains can do.
But to have the spacious appearance it is today, Na Su has gone through a "revolution" in thinking and infrastructure. Formed and put into operation from the end of 2022, the community tourism model here is built entirely on the internal strength and cooperation of the people.
Accordingly, responding to the " Volunteer weekend" movement launched by the Standing Committee of the old Nam Po district, with practical and meaningful actions and works. Hundreds of union members and young people in communes in the old Nam Po district have participated in helping the people of Na Su village build a community tourism area.
Hundreds of cadres and civil servants of agencies and organizations of the district have also contributed their efforts with the people of Na Su village to renovate and beautify the space. Na Su village is invested in development according to community tourism criteria towards meeting Asean standards.
Mr. Thung Van Quan - Head of Na Su village said that people have actively renovated their houses, yards, and renovated green, clean, and beautiful ponds and gardens. But the most important thing is consensus.
Over the past year, under the mobilization of local authorities in coordination with Na Su people, 27 polluting livestock and poultry barns have been relocated and dismantled from the floor, moving away from the housing area. Over 31 households have voluntarily donated land to widen roads, build parking lots, and community entertainment areas.
The government and the people have together built about 20 water cages (water streams) along the banks of the irrigation ditches. These water clusters not only serve agricultural production but also create a typical "charming" aquatic paint scene.
The system of walkways along the pond, along with 11 hutts made of bamboo, canopy, and palm leaves, is cleverly built, creating a place to rest and enjoy the beautiful scenery towards the terraced fields in the shape of an arch.
Com to experience "healing"
If Na Su is brilliant with the green color of mountains and forests during the day and the yellow color of ripe rice, at night, this place has a sparkling, magical beauty.
The lighting system in Na Su is a unique highlight. The whole locality has installed 1,500 electric bulbs to light up the inner-city roads and along the stream embankment.
In particular, the lighting system of about 800m long was created by the people from wooden trunks, about 60cm high, creating light that gently reflects on the stone road, just enough to light the path but not breaking the stillness of the steep night.
TikToker Luu Minh Khuong - an influential person on social networks about tourism, said, when staying in Na Su village: "The green fields, the gentle snow-capped lanes like silk strips, the tear of water cages, the roar of birds, and the roar of the crow.
The sounds of the mountains and forests make me feel truly at peace. I took my shoes to run 5km around the village and welcomed the sunrise in the rice field right next to the homestay.
Currently, visitors to Na Su mainly stop to sightsee, check-in, enjoy local cuisine, participate in folk games and cultural exchanges. Although the length of stay is often short, only 1 to 2 days, or even just one dinner before going to A Pa Chai, the flavor that Na Su leaves is always profound.
Ms. Thung Thi Lam - Na Su Village Community Tourism Management Board said: " Tourists coming to Na Su mainly enjoy experiencing unique cultural features. Therefore, we determined to preserve the identity of our nation. From house architecture, costumes to folk songs, folk dances... that is the most valuable asset to attract customers".
turned professional tourism
The initial success of Na Su is not a coincidence, but the result of a correct policy "Building community tourism associated with building new rural areas".
Mr. Khoang Van Van - Standing Deputy Secretary of the Muong Cha Commune Party Committee, affirmed: "The decisive factor for the success of the Na Su model is the mobilization of the strength of solidarity and consensus of the people. Tourism is a new and effective direction in local socio-economic development".
To date, Na Su has about 140 households with more than 600 people. The Party Committee and the commune government have closely coordinated with specialized agencies to develop a set of criteria on the cultural environment in tourism. Training courses on communication skills, behavior, and professional tourism are held regularly.
Mr. Poong Van Van ( Na Su version) said: "When we first started working, we were very surprised. But working while studying and drawing experience, everything has now stabilized. Seeing tourists satisfied and praised, we are very happy and motivated to do better".
The landscape items and flower roads are made entirely of local materials (brick, wood, and rattan). The food served to tourists is "homegrown plants", pond fish, domestic pigs, ensuring safety and hygiene.
The success of Na Su is becoming a "bright spot" and a model for communes in the province to learn from. Mr. Khoang Van Van said: "From the initial successful steps of Na Su, this will be an opportunity, a solid premise for the commune to continue surveying and expanding to other villages in the region, creating a chain of community tourism linkages".
Mr. Nguyen Minh Phu - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism said that it is necessary to identify people as the subject, the core, the important resource, directly creating tourism products and services and operating tourism activities. Every citizen needs to become a friendly and hospitable tour guide.
Accordingly, in the coming time, the province will focus on developing tourism in Ke Nenh, Pu Nhi, Na Su, Sin Thau, Tua Chua...
The provincial leaders also emphasized that the connection of "State - Business - People" will be promoted, including promoting the leading role of households with business conditions to lead and support other households to participate, towards the goal of sustainable poverty reduction from tourism.
