Lam Dong: Linking Cultural Preservation with Tourism Development
(TITC) – In era of integration, preserving and promoting the cultural values of ethnic minorities while linking them with tourism has become not only a mission but also an opportunity. In Lam Dong, this effort has gained strong momentum thanks to Project 6 – Preserving and Promoting Good Traditional Cultural Values of Ethnic Minorities Associated with Tourism Development – under the National Target Program for 2021–2025. The project has opened a new path: protecting cultural identity while using it as a foundation to develop sustainable tourism.
A Cultural Treasure of the Highlands
The Co Ho, Ma, and Chu Ru – longstanding residents of the Lam Dong plateau – possess a rich heritage that spans language, writing, folk songs, dances, and legends. Their rituals, often tied to the life cycle of rice or the worship of sacred forests and springs, remain vibrant today.
Among the most distinctive features is the Central Highlands gong cultural space, recognized by UNESCO as an intangible heritage of humanity. Its deep, resonant sounds are not only part of spiritual life but also a magnet for travelers seeking authentic cultural experiences. Traditional crafts, from Bao Loc’s brocade weaving to B’Nor C pottery, showcase the creativity and artistry of ethnic communities. These products embody cultural essence while providing inspiration for unique, highland-branded tourism offerings.
Reviving Traditions Through Tourism
Cultural preservation is no longer just about safeguarding the past – it is about renewing traditions in ways that resonate with contemporary life. In Ward 2 of Bao Loc, for example, forgotten looms have returned to the stilt house, where threads catch the sunlight as skilled hands weave. A community weaving group of 20 members is not only producing beautiful textiles but also teaching the younger generation. In just two years, the traditional stilt house has transformed into both a cultural gathering space and a tourism attraction, where visitors can watch artisans at work and purchase their creations.
Thanks to support from the culture, sports, and tourism sector, brocade weaving in Bao Loc has shifted from the edge of disappearance to becoming a symbol of cultural resilience – and a new resource for community development.
Project 6 has supported the restoration of folk festivals, such as the Nho Phu Festival (praying for harvest) and Nho Dong Festival (praying for rain) in Dam Rong. Traditional cultural models have been built, publications on ethnic cultures released, and efforts made to revive endangered practices like folk songs, dances, weaving, and pottery.
Tourists now have opportunities to enjoy pristine village landscapes and experience authentic cultural practices – enhanced with digital tools for deeper understanding. Importantly, local people are no longer just “performers” for visitors but active cultural custodians, sharing their heritage with pride.
The project’s impact extends beyond Lam Dong. In Dak Nong and Binh Thuan, funds have helped restore Cham relics, protect historical sites tied to the M’nong people’s anti-colonial resistance, and preserve traditional festivals. Training classes in pottery, weaving, music, and dance have been organized, ensuring skills are passed down and adapted for tourism.
By linking cultural preservation with tourism, Lam Dong is turning heritage into a competitive advantage. The strategy improves livelihoods and builds pride in identity, strengthens the province’s tourism brand. Visitors are offered more than sightseeing – they are invited into the living heart of the highlands, where every drumbeat, every woven thread, and every festival carries the story of a people deeply connected to their land.
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