(HBO) - Hoa Binh province's Mai Chau district is home to many ethnic groups with cultural diversity. Villages of Thai people still retain traditional daily and art activities.


Mai Chau brocade weaving has become a cultural trait of Thai people. Photo taken at the Chieng Chau brocade weaving and services cooperative in Chieng Chau commune (Mai Chau district).

Lac village in Chieng Chau commune, which has all of its residents being people of Thai ethnic group, draws visitors in with its simple charms and fresh air. Previously, people relied on rice cultivation and brocade weaving to make ends meet. At present, thanks to tourism development, the village has been known as a tourist destination of the northern region with its peaceful and exquisite traits.

Loc Van Panh, owner of the No.86 hostel in Lac village said that tourism has been a main source of income for local people. Tourists will be able to experience daily activities in traditional stilt-houses, musical programmes with folk songs and ‘xoe’ dance of Thai ethnic group and local cuisine, among others.

Alongside Lac village, the district has various community-based and ecotourism sites that attract tourists at home and abroad, namely those in Poom Coong and Van villages (Mai Chau district) and Buoc village (Xam Khoe commune).

In addition to landscapes, traditional and folk songs and dances are inseparable parts of Mai Chau district’s cultural life.

As a bright spot of Hoa Binh province’s tourism, Mai Chau is viewed as a friendly destination that impresses tourists, especially foreigners loving exploration and adventurous tourism.

The district has a total 147 accommodation establishments serving tourism. To improve its quality and images, Mai Chau has devised incentives and bolstered tourism investment, training for personnel for sustainable tourism development.

At the same time, local authorities and leaders have stepped up communications and promotions, and followed regulations to maintain environmental hygiene and code of conduct in tourism, thereby ensuring order and safety and building Mai Chau as a safe, friendly and attractive destination.

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