Situated at an altitude of over 1,500 metres, it enjoys cool weather year-round, with mist enveloping the mountains and forests. (Photo: Nhat Thanh)

Pioneers in developing tourism

Among the early adopters of tourism is 50-year-old Vu Tong Po, a resident of Muong Long 1 Village.

“In the past, no one thought about tourism here. Everyone just grew corn, did farm work, and raised livestock. But when visitors asked about places to stay, I thought - why not invite them to my home and share our village stories?” Po recalled.

What started as a simple idea became a reality in 2021. After taking part in local training sessions and learning online, Po transformed his traditional Mong wooden house into a homestay.

Today, his homestay has three rooms that can host up to 20 people, and during peak seasons, welcomes over 120 visitors. On holidays, it's often fully booked.

Though the beginning was challenging - he didn’t know how to greet guests or promote services - Po gradually learned hospitality basics: warm handshakes, delicious home-cooked meals, and comfortable spaces.

Inspired by his success, other villagers began converting their homes into homestays, opening eateries, and selling local specialties like black chicken, smoked meats, and brocade handicrafts. Muong Long was slowly transforming from a quiet, impoverished community into a rising tourist destination.

Lau Y Denh, also from Muong Long 1, took things a step further. She combined her homestay with cultural experiences - leading visitors through Mong traditions, organising folk games, and teaching brocade weaving.

“I was lucky to get training and visit successful tourism models in other provinces. I want tourists to come not just for the scenery, but to truly understand the Mong culture,” she said.

Her homestay can accommodate up to 50 guests and generates a monthly income of 5 - 7 million VND after expenses.

Bui Hoang Y, a tourist from Ha Noi expressed pleasant surprise: “I didn’t expect to find such cool air in a region known for its heat. The scenery is stunning, and the local culture is so vibrant. Even if services are basic, I’ll definitely return with my family.”

With stunning natural landscapes, Muong Long become an attractive destination for visitors. (Photo: Nhat Thanh)

Unlocking tourism potential

To reach Muong Long, visitors need to travel more than 250 km from Vinh City to Muong Xen Commune, followed by a 50 km journey through winding mountain roads - often called the “gateway to the sky.”

In 2023 and 2024, the commune welcomed over 2,000 tourists. The peak season is spring, when plum blossoms bloom and the plum-picking festival brings locals and visitors together.

According to Xong Sai Khu, head of Muong Long 1 Village, tourism has breathed new life into the community. Residents are learning new skills beyond farming, and many young people who once left for city jobs are coming back home as tour guides.

In 2022, the Muong Long Agricultural and Tourism Cooperative was founded. With 67 members, including five homestay owners, it has helped link agriculture and tourism. Members regularly go on trips to study successful models from the north and return with fresh ideas to improve services.

Local leaders emphasise that sustainable tourism must go hand in hand with preserving ethnic heritage, protecting the environment, and maintaining the pristine beauty of the landscape.

In 2025 and beyond, the locality will focus on attracting investors to develop eco-tourism and high-tech agriculture; promoting local specialties like plums, black pigs, and medicinal plants; enhancing roads, accommodation, and infrastructure; and offering more training for locals and improving tourism promotion.

With rich culture, breathtaking vistas, and the determination of its people, Muong Long is stepping confidently toward becoming a magnetic community-based tourism destination in Nghe An province.

Dinh Phuong - Translated by NDO