Mu Cang Chai District in Yen Bai Province is home to twelve ethnic groups, with ethnic minorities making up over 96% of the population, including more than 90% Hmong. Each group brings its own cultural identity, creating a rich, diverse tapestry of traditions.
In recent years, the district has prioritized integrating tourism with the preservation and promotion of ethnic cultural values. This approach serves as both a responsibility and a strategy to create sustainable livelihoods for local residents, providing them with stable incomes and a pathway out of poverty. The district aims to become a "Distinctive, Safe, and Friendly†tourism destination, striving to eliminate poverty by 2025 and reach full economic sustainability by 2030.
To achieve these goals, the district authorities organize annual festivals and events that showcase cultural heritage. These include the Terraced Fields Discovery Festival, New Rice Celebration, Cherry Blossom Festival, and the Hmong Khen (a traditional wind instrument) Festival. Other events, like competitions in rice cake pounding, wax pattern drawing, and traditional Hmong costume and khen performances, help preserve and promote Hmong cultural heritage. These activities also serve as platforms to introduce Mu Cang Chai’s landscapes and people to both domestic and international visitors.
Notably, the district held a ceremony to recognize two cultural traditions as national intangible cultural heritage: the Hmong art of khen (traditional wind instrument) and the wax-resist batik technique used to create intricate designs on fabric, practiced by the Hmong communities in Mu Cang Chai, Tram Tau, and Van Chan. The inauguration of the 2023 Hmong Khen Festival and the Cherry Blossom Festival, the largest Hmong cultural event to date, left a profound impression, drawing significant interest and participation from both locals and visitors nationwide.
The national special relic site, Terraced Rice Fields, continually attracts tourists.
Additionally, the district has strengthened regional cooperation programs between Mu Cang Chai, Van Chan, Tram Tau (Yen Bai Province), Bac Yen, Muong La (Son La Province), and Sa Pa (Lao Cai Province) in agriculture and tourism, with a focus on cultural preservation. The district has also collaborated with central and local media to promote the distinctive cultural identity of the Hmong in Mu Cang Chai to audiences across the country and the world.
As a result, Mu Cang Chai has gained international recognition through prominent media and travel publications. It was named the most attractive destination of 2020 by CNBC, while Condé Nast Traveler listed it among the most vibrant destinations worldwide in 2019 and again in 2023. Travel website Big Seven Travel ranked Mu Cang Chai 21st among the 50 most beautiful destinations in 2020, and travel site Wanderlust Storytellers placed it at the top of their list of 25 breathtakingly surreal locations.
By the end of 2023, Mu Cang Chai welcomed 365,000 visitors, an increase of 114,700 compared to 2019, with tourism revenue reaching 355.875 billion VND, a rise of 270.875 billion VND from 2019. In the first ten months of this year alone, the district attracted over 331,472 tourists, achieving 94% of its target (including 23,718 international visitors), with revenue amounting to 327.3 billion VND.
In the coming period, Mu Cang Chai aims to implement national and provincial tourism development policies comprehensively, focusing on infrastructure investment and tourism services. The district will encourage and support locals in creating tourism products like handicrafts, traditional attire, musical instruments, local cuisine, and cultural experience tours, emphasizing quality and uniqueness to enhance visitor appeal.
The district also plans to strengthen the promotion of Hmong culture through media, cultural events, and tourism exhibitions. This approach will not only preserve the area’s unique cultural heritage but also leverage it as a key driver of socio-economic development in this highland region.
| Currently, Mu Cang Chai has cataloged 281 tangible and intangible cultural assets, including one national special relic-its famous terraced rice fields, one national historical site (the Khau Pha Guerrilla Squad’s founding location), and three national intangible cultural heritages. The district has established over 1,250 commercial and service businesses, including 139 guesthouses and homestays, with a capacity to accommodate more than 3,000 guests per night. |
Van Tuan
