Cao Son Cultural Village (Da Nang): Where Indigenous Culture Flourishes with Tourism

(TITC) – Nestled deep in the Truong Son mountain range, Cao Son Cultural Village in Tra My Commune, Da Nang, where heritage and daily life are one. Home to the Ca Dong ethnic group, the village is a living cultural space where traditions breathe in every home, every song, and every shared meal.

The Soul of the Highlands

Cao Son may not bustle like Da Nang’s coastal attractions, but it enchants visitors with its sincerity. The sound of drums and gongs echoing across the hills, the warmth of rustic meals, and the sight of elders and children together keeping traditions alive create a rare authenticity.

Traditional festivals remain central to village life. Whether celebrating Tet, giving thanks for a new rice harvest, or worshiping the god of thunder, the events bring the entire community together. In the communal house, people perform gong music, xoang dances, folk songs, and cooking rituals. For travelers, witnessing these gatherings is like stepping into the living heart of the highlands.

Here, culture thrives in everyday rhythms. Skilled hands weave brocade and baskets, steam rises from bamboo rice pots, and traditional dance classes. Children as young as seven learn to weave, string beads, or play drums. These activities are not lessons for tourists but a way of life, naturally absorbed and passed down from one generation to the next.

This spirit of continuity turns every corner of the village into a cultural encounter. To walk through Cao Son is to see heritage alive – in gestures, sounds, and flavors.

Warm Hospitality, Shared Meals

Hospitality is the soul of Cao Son. Visitors are welcomed as family, invited to join meals that reflect both simplicity and richness. From buffalo croissants and grilled stream fish to fragrant bamboo rice, each dish is prepared by families and shared at the communal house. Dining here is more than eating; it is an act of sharing culture and community.

The warmth of the Ca Dong people makes every guest feel at home. For many travelers, these intimate experiences leave a deeper impression than any other attraction.

Community-based tourism has not eroded indigenous culture here – on the contrary, it has given villagers stronger motivation to protect it. Culture has become both a livelihood and a bridge between tradition and modern life. Experiential tours, weaving and dance classes, small markets, and communal activities all help visitors engage while supporting local development.

With guidance from local authorities and conservation projects, the Ca Dong people are shaping a balanced model where cultural preservation goes hand in hand with economic growth. Heritage is not treated as a relic of the past, but as a present reality – alive in every song, dance, and daily routine.

Cao Son today stands as a shining example of how indigenous communities can rely on their culture to shape a sustainable future. Here, national identity is not only preserved but shared with pride, enriching both local life and visitors’ experiences. For those who wish to go beyond the ordinary, a journey to Cao Son is a journey into authenticity – where the rhythms of gongs, the taste of bamboo rice, and the warmth of community invite travelers to feel, not just see, the spirit of the Truong Son mountains.

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