Nestled in the tranquil embrace of the limestone mountains, Quynh Son Village, a historic Tày ethnic community in Vietnam’s northern province of Lạng Sơn, has achieved a monumental international distinction, officially receiving the title of “Best Tourism Village 2025” from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism). The prestigious award, presented at a ceremony in Huzhou, Zhejiang, China, on October 17, saw Quynh Son triumph over more than 270 submissions hailing from 65 countries worldwide. This recognition is not merely a localized victory for Lạng Sơn; it stands as a profound testament to Vietnam’s dedicated efforts in fostering sustainable community-based tourism, championing the preservation of cultural heritage, and prioritizing environmental stewardship on the global stage.
Global Recognition Solidifies Commitment to Community Tourism
The announcement places Quynh Son at the vanguard of the world’s best examples of rural destinations where tourism is managed as a powerful catalyst for development and well-being. The selection process highlights villages that demonstrate clear commitments to all nine key areas evaluated by UN Tourism, including cultural and natural resources, economic and social sustainability, tourism development, and infrastructure.
The news was met with immense pride and served as a focal point during the opening of the Bắc Sơn Golden Season Festival 2025. Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Trịnh Minh Tuấn, Vice Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the Bắc Sơn Commune People’s Committee, underscored the collective nature of the achievement.
“The ‘Best Tourism Village’ title is the direct result of the unanimous commitment between the local authorities and the people of Quynh Son,” said Mr. Tuấn. “This will serve as a powerful motivation for Bắc Sơn to continue developing a sustainable and friendly tourism model, intrinsically linked to the conservation of our local identity and heritage.”
This global accolade is expected to exponentially increase the visibility of the village and the broader Bắc Sơn region, transforming it into a model for other Vietnamese communities seeking to balance economic growth with cultural integrity.
A Model of Cultural Preservation and Sustainable Development
The village’s success is deeply rooted in its enduring commitment to authentic community-based tourism (CBT). Quynh Son, which formally established its community tourism model in 2010 and was recognized as a local tourism spot in 2015, has meticulously maintained the distinct lifestyle and cultural practices of the Tày ethnic group.
Ms. Trần Thị Bích Hạnh, Deputy Director of the Lạng Sơn Investment, Trade, and Tourism Promotion Center, articulated the strategic importance of the award for the entire province and nation.
“This award opens up a significant opportunity for Lạng Sơn to promote its tourism image internationally,” stated Ms. Hạnh. “Quynh Son is not only a source of pride for Bắc Sơn, but it also symbolizes the aspiration of Vietnamese tourism to ascend during this era of international integration.”
The concept of community-based tourism is fundamental to Quynh Son’s operation. Unlike mass tourism models, CBT empowers local residents to take ownership of the tourism activities, ensuring that the economic benefits directly support the community and encourage the active preservation of local resources and traditions. This model ensures that the welcoming, hospitable spirit of the Tày people remains central to the visitor experience.
The Enduring Heart of Tày Culture
Quynh Son Village is distinguished by its stunning natural and architectural landscape. The village is home to more than 200 ancient stilt houses, which remain a living museum of Tày architecture. These traditional homes, built on stilts to protect residents from potential flooding and wildlife, are characterized by their sturdy construction and intricate detailing, reflecting centuries of local building knowledge.
The village is set within a breathtaking valley where terraced rice fields snake and curve gracefully between the towering limestone mountains. This landscape is particularly renowned for its vibrant “Golden Season,” when the rice is ripe for harvest, transforming the valley floor into a sea of shimmering gold.
The cultural fabric of Quynh Son is further enriched by several time-honored traditional crafts that the community actively maintains and shares with visitors:
- Brocade Weaving: The Tày are skilled weavers, producing intricate brocade fabrics used for traditional clothing and household items, showcasing complex patterns that often depict elements of nature and local mythology.
- Basket Weaving and Handicrafts: The art of creating practical and beautiful household items from bamboo and rattan remains a vital skill, linking the current generation to their ancestors’ reliance on the surrounding natural environment.
- Bánh Chưng Đen Making: A unique local delicacy, the bánh chưng đen (black square sticky rice cake) is a variant of the traditional Vietnamese bánh chưng, made special by using ash from certain local plants, which imparts a distinctive black color and subtle flavor.
An Immersive Experience for the Modern Traveler
A visit to Quynh Son offers travelers a deeply immersive, hands-on experience, moving far beyond mere sightseeing. The friendly and hospitable Tày community encourages guests to fully participate in their daily life, creating memorable and authentic interactions.
During the Golden Season, visitors have the unique opportunity to:
- Participate in the Harvest: Guests can join the locals in the rice fields, learning the techniques of traditional rice harvesting and gaining a firsthand appreciation for the labor and effort required to produce the staple crop.
- Rafting on the Golden Valley: A highlight of the experience is the chance to paddle traditional bamboo rafts or use modern stand-up paddleboards (SUP) across the flooded rice fields after the harvest, offering unparalleled panoramic views of the valley.
- Culinary Immersion: The village’s cuisine is a major draw. Visitors can savor local specialties such as grilled stream fish, renowned for its freshness and unique seasoning, and, of course, the local bánh chưng đen.
The community’s rich artistic heritage is celebrated through performances that resonate throughout the valley. Guests are often treated to the sounds of the traditional Tính lute, an instrument central to the Tày people’s spiritual life, accompanying the ethereal and deeply spiritual Then singing—a UNESCO-recognized Intangible Cultural Heritage—that echoes the stories and prayers of the mountains.
Lạng Sơn’s Forward-Looking Tourism Strategy
The international spotlight on Quynh Son is a cornerstone of Lạng Sơn Province’s long-term tourism agenda. The recognition provides critical momentum for the regional strategy, which seeks to establish Lạng Sơn as a premier destination for cultural and ecological travel.
Mr. Nguyễn Hữu Hải, Director of the Lạng Sơn Investment, Trade, and Tourism Promotion Center, highlighted the award’s role in their strategic blueprint.
“This is a crucial step in the Lạng Sơn tourism promotion strategy for the 2025-2030 period,” emphasized Mr. Hải. “Our efforts are now focused on building the definitive brand identity for the region: Bắc Sơn—the destination for green and cultural tourism.”
The strategy aims to leverage the village’s fame to draw investment into sustainable infrastructure, enhance the quality of community-based services, and ensure that the delicate balance between tourism development and cultural/environmental protection is maintained. The province sees Quynh Son as a flagship, guiding the development of other rural destinations toward similarly responsible and high-value tourism models.
Celebrating the Golden Season Festival
Concurrent with the celebration of the UN Tourism award, the Bắc Sơn Golden Season Festival 2025 is running until November 15, offering a vibrant schedule of events designed to showcase the community’s vitality and traditions. The festival acts as a large-scale cultural and economic platform, inviting tourists to engage directly with the Tày lifestyle.
Key activities scheduled throughout the festival include:
- Traditional Competitions: Exciting contests such as the rice pounding competition and the bánh chưng đen wrapping contest highlight the importance of communal effort and traditional skills.
- Agricultural Demonstrations: Events like collective rice harvesting and SUP rafting on the golden valley provide interactive, hands-on experiences.
- Trade and Cuisine: The festival hosts an exhibition of local OCOP (One Commune One Product) products, a dedicated highland cuisine space, and a tourism fair, allowing local entrepreneurs to connect with visitors and promote regional specialties.
This convergence of global recognition and a major local celebration creates a potent moment for Quynh Son, solidifying its status as a vital hub for cultural exchange and sustainable travel.
The designation of Quynh Son Village as the “Best Tourism Village 2025” powerfully affirms the success of Vietnam’s strategy to protect its heritage while thoughtfully integrating with the global travel economy.
Would you like me to elaborate further on the Tày ethnic minority culture or provide more detail on the criteria used by UN Tourism for this award?
