Chosen from more than 270 entries across 65 countries, Lo Lo Chai stands as a testament to the collective commitment of the local community, government agencies, and development partners in preserving cultural identity, safeguarding natural landscapes, and fostering sustainable, community-led tourism.
Overview of Lo Lo Chai Village, Lung Cu Commune, Tuyen Quang Province
Recognizing Sustainability and Culture through Tourism
The Best Tourism Villages initiative, spearheaded by UN Tourism, honors rural destinations that demonstrate excellence in areas such as cultural and natural heritage preservation, sustainable tourism management, innovation, and the enhancement of local livelihoods. Selection is based on a rigorous evaluation across multiple pillars, including governance, infrastructure, socio-economic resilience, environmental sustainability, and alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This global recognition serves not only as an award but also as a blueprint for other rural communities worldwide seeking to develop tourism in ways that are ethical, inclusive, and future-focused.
Lo Lo Chai Village: Where Culture and Nature Meet
Perched amid the majestic limestone peaks of northern Vietnam, Lo Lo Chai Village is home to the Black Lô Lô ethnic group, one of Vietnam’s smallest and most culturally distinct minority communities. The village is widely admired for its traditional earthen houses, colorful brocade costumes, ancestral rituals, and festive celebrations. Visitors to Lo Lo Chai often describe the experience as a unique window into Vietnam’s living heritage.
Located near the iconic Lung Cu Flag Tower - Vietnam’s northernmost point - Lo Lo Chai has become a popular yet peaceful stop for travelers exploring the Dong Van Karst Plateau, a UNESCO Global Geopark. The village is not only scenically beautiful but also symbolically important, representing the country’s commitment to preserving cultural identity at its geographical frontier.
A Model of Green and Inclusive Tourism
In recent years, Tuyen Quang Province has invested significantly in transforming Lo Lo Chai into a green, community-based tourism model. Authorities have prioritized environmentally friendly infrastructure development, such as: Implementing waste management systems, including collection and treatment; Limiting the use of single-use plastics and promoting eco-conscious behavior among residents and visitors; Preserving traditional architecture using natural and locally sourced materials; Enhancing green spaces and biodiversity within the village; Improving access to clean water and sanitation facilities to elevate hygiene standards and public health. Efforts have also focused on visitor management, ensuring that tourism growth remains in harmony with the village’s carrying capacity and ecological balance.
Empowering the Community
A key component of Lo Lo Chai’s success is the active involvement of local residents in shaping the village’s tourism identity. Community members have undergone comprehensive capacity-building programs covering: Hospitality services and homestay management; Food safety and hygiene practices; Fire prevention and emergency response; Environmental conservation; Responsible tourism guidelines.
These training efforts have helped villagers develop and run homestays, prepare traditional cuisine, and offer handicraft demonstrations, cultural performances, and agro-tourism activities. The economic benefits are shared fairly, with special attention paid to increasing the participation of women and youth, ensuring social inclusion and empowerment.
International Support and Strategic Partnerships
The initiative has received technical assistance from Helvetas (Switzerland) under the Swiss Tourism for Sustainable Development Project (ST4SD), in partnership with the Viet Nam National Authority of Tourism. Project experts contributed significantly by: Conducting comprehensive sustainability assessments; Guiding tourism product development and innovation; Organizing workshops and hands-on training for villagers; Supporting Lo Lo Chai’s application process to the UN Tourism awards.
This collaboration underscores the importance of international cooperation in achieving long-term sustainability goals in rural destinations.
Stick-Pushing Competition at the Traditional Festival of the Black Lô Lô Ethnic Group
A Landmark Achievement and Future Vision
The success of Lo Lo Chai is not only a point of pride for the village but also a significant milestone for Tuyen Quang Province. It reinforces the province’s strategic focus on promoting tourism that balances cultural preservation with economic development and environmental protection.
Further enhancing this achievement, on October 13, 2025, the Dong Van Karst Plateau Global Geopark - where Lo Lo Chai is located - was named Asia’s Leading Cultural Destination 2025 by the World Travel Awards (WTA). These twin honors confirm Tuyen Quang’s rising profile on the global tourism map.
Cultural activities, such as the stick-pushing competition held during the traditional festivals of the Black Lo Lo, continue to attract both domestic and international visitors, offering a deeper understanding of ethnic minority heritage in Vietnam’s highlands.
Toward a Sustainable Future
Looking ahead, Tuyen Quang Province is committed to further investing in: Upgrading tourism infrastructure; Improving service quality and visitor experience; Enhancing digital marketing and international promotion; Expanding sustainable tourism models to other communities.
These efforts align with the province’s long-term tourism development vision under the theme: “Tuyen Quang - The Land of Living Heritage”. By 2035, with orientation to 2045, the goal is to make tourism a key economic sector, one that contributes meaningfully to cultural pride, environmental sustainability, and inclusive development.
The recognition of Lo Lo Chai Village as a “Best Tourism Village 2025” is more than a global accolade - it is a powerful affirmation of what is possible when communities, governments, and partners come together with a shared vision. It showcases Vietnam’s growing strength in community-based tourism, rooted in respect for culture, nature, and people. As Lo Lo Chai continues its journey forward, it offers valuable lessons and inspiration for rural tourism development not only in Vietnam, but across the world.
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