Quynh Son (Lang Son) and Lo Lo Chai (Tuyen Quang) are the two latest Vietnamese representatives honored by the United Nations Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) for their outstanding cultural and natural assets and strong commitments to sustainable tourism development.

Among the two, Quynh Son remains relatively “undiscovered” by many travelers. Since late October, the keyword “Quynh Son village” has been trending in travel groups, sparking curiosity and searches for information.

A panoramic view of Quynh Son Village during the golden season, November 2025. Photo: Nam Nguyen

Where is Quynh Son Village?

The community-based tourism village of Quynh Son is located in the center of the Bac Son Valley (Bac Son Commune, Lang Son), about 180 kilometers from downtown Hanoi, or roughly 3.5 to 4 hours by car.

This was the first officially designated community tourism village in Lang Son Province, launched in 2010. It enjoys a convenient location near National Highway 1B, connecting Lang Son to Thai Nguyen Province.

Quynh Son lies within the nationally recognized special heritage site of the Bac Son Uprising and belongs to the Lang Son UNESCO Global Geopark region. It boasts pristine natural landscapes and rich cultural identity - especially the preserved Tay ethnic cultural space still alive in daily life.

The village is drawing increasing interest from tourists.

Leisurely walks among stilt houses

The village is home to over 400 traditional stilt houses, many of which are hundreds of years old, passed down through three or four generations.

Interestingly, all the houses face south, with their backs to majestic limestone mountains and roofs made of yin-yang tiles. According to Tay beliefs, a south-facing house brings prosperity, warmth, and good fortune.

The yin-yang roof tiles, a traditional design, help keep the house cool in summer and warm in winter.

The uniformity and authenticity in architecture, landscape, people, and culture have left a deep impression on the international selection committee.

A traditional stilt house renovated as a homestay for visitors.

Tourists can enjoy a leisurely walk through the village, admiring the simple, peaceful homes and chatting with the friendly, welcoming locals. Each house reflects the personality of its owner - evident in the unique features of its porch, doors, or wooden walls.

At night, visitors can join cultural performances featuring then singing, tinh lute playing, or gather around a campfire with the villagers.

Locals preserve traditional Tay cultural arts like then singing and tinh lute music.

Experiencing the golden season

The rice harvest season here occurs twice a year - in late July and November. During this time, the flat valley floor turns golden with ripened rice fields, encircled by towering limestone mountains. The Thuong River winds through the fields like a silken ribbon.

November is an ideal time to visit Quynh Son and attend Bac Son’s golden season festival. The event features exciting activities such as traditional rice harvesting competitions, rice pounding, and black square sticky rice cake wrapping.

Locals and tourists enjoy traditional rice harvesting contests.

Currently, some homestays in Quynh Son offer stand-up paddleboard (SUP) rentals so visitors can float down the river and view the golden fields from a fresh perspective. The area is also becoming a popular paragliding destination.

Those who hike up Na Lay Mountain - around 600 meters above sea level - will be rewarded with panoramic views of the brilliant Bac Son rice valley dotted with peaceful stilt-house rooftops.

Soaring over Bac Son’s golden season by paraglider.

Visiting the yin-yang tile-making village

Just minutes from Quynh Son, visitors can explore a craft village producing traditional yin-yang roof tiles - used for generations in the stilt houses.

Here, you’ll learn about the eight-step process to create these tiles that help regulate indoor temperature, from selecting and purifying clay to shaping, drying, and firing in a wood-burning kiln.

Each tile pair - one facing up, one down - symbolizes the Tay people's yin-yang philosophy and cosmic harmony.

The roof-tile kiln is a popular check-in spot for visitors.

Delicious local cuisine

The Tay people's cuisine in Quynh Son is rich and flavorful, with specialties like black square sticky rice cakes, mountain ginger sausages, wormwood cakes, braised pork belly (khau nhuc), five-colored sticky rice, roast duck, and Bac Son golden tangerines.

The signature black sticky rice cake gets its color and aroma from ash made by burning glutinous rice straw. High-quality glutinous rice is soaked in the ash water to produce a naturally black, fragrant, chewy cake that’s gentle on the stomach.

Black square sticky rice cake, a specialty of Bac Son.

As the year ends, sweet golden tangerines often grace local dining tables. Grown in mountain crevices, these thin-skinned fruits emit a distinctive fragrance when peeled. Their flavor is mildly sour, refreshing rather than overly sweet.

Golden tangerines with a unique mountain aroma.

Where to stay in Quynh Son?

Currently, Quynh Son Village hosts nine homestays run by Tay families. Guests can choose community rooms for about $4 to $8 per night or rent private rooms.

These homestays preserve the traditional stilt-house design and offer immersive experiences. Visitors live alongside local families and join in farming, cooking, and daily life. This authentic cultural immersion is one reason Quynh Son earned its place as one of the “Best Tourism Villages in the World 2025.”

Travelers should note that the village does not yet offer luxury resort-style accommodations. Local residents and authorities continue improving tourism services while prioritizing landscape, architectural, and cultural preservation.

To reach Quynh Son, visitors can drive their own vehicles or take a bus from Hanoi to Bac Son Commune center, then transfer by motorbike taxi into the village. Some transport services now offer direct routes from Hanoi to Quynh Son.

Linh Trang - Nguyen Huy