In a world of fleeting travel experiences, 27-year-old Brazilian adventurer Juliana Alves Noronha chose to dive deep into the traditions of a remote Vietnamese village, spending two weeks living among the Tày people in Thái Hải, Thái Nguyên. Her journey highlights the allure of authentic cultural immersion, where she volunteered, savored local cuisine, and witnessed a community dedicated to preserving its heritage, earning the village global recognition as the world’s best tourism destination.
Juliana’s story exemplifies the growing trend of travelers seeking meaningful connections over superficial sightseeing. As a passionate explorer of traditional cultures, she has journeyed across continents, but her extended stay in Thái Hải—recognized by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) as the top tourism village in 2022—offered a rare blend of volunteer work, daily life participation, and profound personal discovery. This experience not only deepened her appreciation for the Tày way of life but also showcased how such villages maintain ancient customs amid modern challenges, drawing visitors from afar.
A Global Nomad Finds Her Niche in Vietnam
Juliana Alves Noronha, a 27-year-old from Brazil, has built her life around exploring the world’s diverse cultures, often staying for extended periods to live like a local rather than a tourist. Her love for tradition led her to Vietnam in September, where she planned a month-long adventure across the country. Among her stops, Thái Hải in Thái Nguyên province stood out as the longest and most impactful, captivating her with its promise of unspoiled authenticity.
Upon arrival, Juliana quickly transitioned from visitor to participant. She spent nearly two weeks in the village, far beyond a typical tour, immersing herself in the rhythms of daily life. “I self-questioned if such a place could really exist—a village where people share one pot of rice and one purse of money,” she shared enthusiastically. This sense of communal living, which she discovered online before her trip, drew her in, making her feel as though she had stepped into a living museum of indigenous heritage.
Her days were filled with hands-on activities, blending exploration with contribution. As a volunteer, Juliana supported the village’s media efforts, capturing photos and videos of community events, tourist welcomes, and everyday interactions. This role allowed her to document the serene landscape of Thái Hải, featuring 30 ancient stilt houses nestled among towering green trees, while fostering genuine bonds with residents. Her camera became a tool not just for recording, but for connecting, as she carefully framed each shot to highlight the village’s timeless beauty.
This approach to travel—staying put and engaging deeply—is a hallmark of Juliana’s adventures. Having visited numerous destinations worldwide, she prioritizes experiences that go beyond surface-level attractions. In Thái Hải, this meant waking up to the sounds of rural life, joining in chores, and sharing meals, all while learning about the Tày people’s history and customs. Her commitment to this lifestyle underscores a broader movement in tourism, where travelers seek sustainable and enriching encounters.
Volunteering and the Spirit of Community in Thái Hải
Thái Hải’s reputation as a cultural haven made it an ideal spot for Juliana’s volunteer work. The village, home to about 30 historic stilt houses, offers visitors a chance to engage directly with local traditions, and Juliana embraced this fully. During her stay, she assisted with communication tasks, such as filming and photographing village activities, helping to promote Thái Hải’s unique appeal to potential tourists.
Lê Thị Nga, the deputy head of the village, noted the commonality of such extended visits. “Before Juliana, we had young people book stays for just three days, but they ended up staying a week because they fell in love with the place,” she told Tuổi Trẻ Online. This reflects the magnetic pull of Thái Hải, where volunteers like Juliana live alongside residents, participating in daily routines and sharing in the community’s warmth.
One of the most striking aspects for Juliana was the villagers’ communal ethos. She described how the Tày people maintain a shared sense of resources, echoing her initial intrigue from online research. “Oh! I feel like I’m living in a museum surrounded by the indigenous heritage,” she exclaimed, capturing the essence of her immersion. This setup, with its emphasis on collective living, allowed her to experience Tày culture in its purest form, from helping with household tasks to observing traditional practices.
Transitions like these—moving from outsider to insider—are what make Thái Hải special. Juliana’s role as a volunteer not only enriched her own journey but also supported the village’s efforts to sustain its traditions through tourism. By documenting these moments, she contributed to a larger narrative of cultural preservation, helping to bridge global awareness with local realities.
Savoring the Flavors of Tày Tradition
Food emerged as a highlight of Juliana’s time in Thái Hải, offering a window into the village’s soul. Before arriving, she had already explored Hanoi’s vibrant street food scene, where Vietnamese cuisine won her over instantly. However, the meals in Thái Hải presented a different, more intimate experience, rooted in daily life rather than urban flair.
The village’s cuisine, prepared with fresh, local ingredients, stood out for its authenticity and emotional depth. “The food here isn’t just cooked for tourists; it’s steeped in tradition,” Juliana shared. “Especially when eating on the stilt houses with families, I feel the rustic warmth and closeness. Every dish seems made with love, and trying new flavors is absolutely wonderful.”
One memorable moment was her hands-on experience with traditional dishes, such as cá bỗng rượu—a fermented fish specialty. She learned to prepare it alongside villagers, appreciating the meticulous process that blends heritage with everyday sustenance. These meals, often shared in communal settings, reinforced the village’s ethos of togetherness, where eating becomes an act of cultural exchange.
This culinary immersion contrasted sharply with her previous travels, emphasizing how Thái Hải’s food connects people to their roots. The variety of flavors, from simple rice dishes to more elaborate preparations, highlighted the Tày’s resourcefulness and hospitality, leaving Juliana with lasting memories of shared tables under the thatched roofs.
The Legacy of Thái Hải: A Village Born from Vision
Behind Thái Hải’s charm lies a story of dedication and preservation, spearheaded by Nguyễn Thị Thanh Hải, the village’s founder. In the early 2000s, she noticed the fading traditions among the Tày people in Định Hóa and feared the loss of cultural identity for future generations. Determined to act, she acquired 30 ancient stilt houses and relocated them to a new site in Tân Cương, Thái Nguyên, restoring them to their original state.
Today, these houses form the backbone of Thái Hải, with the oldest dating back 80 years. The structures retain their traditional features, including wooden beams, thatched roofs, and central fireplaces, serving as living testaments to Tày heritage. This effort earned the village its prestigious UNWTO award in 2022, recognizing it as the world’s best tourism village for its commitment to sustainable and community-based practices.
The transformation didn’t happen overnight; it required over 20 years of hard work to build a space where culture thrives. Visitors like Juliana benefit from this legacy, experiencing a preserved environment that balances modernity with tradition. This background adds depth to her story, illustrating how individual vision can create global impacts.
As travelers seek more than just destinations, places like Thái Hải offer a blueprint for authentic experiences.
This journey reminds us that true travel enriches both visitors and the communities they engage with, fostering a deeper understanding of our shared human heritage.
