Vietnam Ethnic Culture and Tourism Village – Where Unity Becomes Heritage

(TITC) – Amid applause and warm lights at the Vietnam Tourism Awards Ceremony 2025, held on September 27 at the VinPalace Co Loa Convention Center (Dong Anh, Hanoi), the Vietnam Ethnic Culture and Tourism Village was honored with the title “Best Community Tourism Destination.”

For this “common home” of 54 ethnic groups, the award is not only a recognition of its contribution to tourism but also a celebration of Vietnam’s enduring spirit of solidarity  –  a living symbol of “unity in diversity” shining across the nation.

A Living Symbol of National Harmony

Located in Dong Mo, Son Tay, the Vietnam Ethnic Culture and Tourism Village is a national project designed to represent the collective soul of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups. Spread across a vast green space, it recreates traditional architecture, rituals, and ways of life, allowing visitors to step into the heart of Vietnam’s cultural mosaic.

Often described as the “common house” of ethnic communities, the village is more than a showcase  –  it’s a living museum. Here, artisans and ethnic residents not only preserve but practice their traditions every day. From folk songs echoing across the hills to the smoke rising from kitchens cooking ancestral recipes, culture is not displayed  –  it’s lived.

Being named “Best Community Tourism Destination 2025” is a testament to years of dedication by the management board, artisans, and residents in nurturing cultural experiences  –  traditional craft demonstrations, culinary presentations, and folk performances  –  all designed to help visitors feel the heartbeat of Vietnam’s unity.

A Vibrant Space of Experience and Emotion

Over the years, the Vietnam Ethnic Culture and Tourism Village has become a cultural crossroads, attracting visitors from all corners of the country and the world.

Its calendar is filled with signature events  –  the National Great Unity Day, the “Spring Colors Across All Regions of Vietnam” Week, and the “Village Welcomes Tourists” Program  –  each offering a vivid tapestry of sights, sounds, and emotions. Hundreds of cultural showcases and regional festivals throughout the year transform the village into a vibrant microcosm of the nation.

Visitors can try their hands at brocade weaving, wine brewing, or crafting bamboo instruments, then join ethnic dances like xoe of the Thai, khen melodies of the Mong, or then singing of the Tay.

Cultural flavors also take center stage  –  steaming bowls of thang co, plates of five-color sticky rice, grilled stream fish, and fragrant bamboo rice invite travelers to savor Vietnam’s diverse culinary traditions.

In every activity, the message is clear: community tourism here means harmony  –  between people, culture, and nature.

A National Landmark for Cultural Tourism

Winning the “Best Community Tourism Destination” award affirms the Vietnam Ethnic Culture and Tourism Village as a model for sustainable, community-based tourism across the country. It’s both an honor and an encouragement for the management board and residents to continue innovating, diversifying products, and maintaining authenticity.

Looking ahead, the village aims to expand its role as a hub for cultural exchange and education  –  developing programs for school trips, creative workshops, and experiential tourism for young generations. Partnerships with localities and businesses are being strengthened to spread Vietnamese cultural values more widely, ensuring that every visitor  –  from students to travelers  –  leaves with a deeper connection to the nation’s roots.

Heritage as a Way of Life

The award carries with it both pride and responsibility. For those who live and work in the village, it’s a reminder of the mission they carry: to safeguard Vietnam’s cultural treasures amid the ever-changing rhythms of modern life.

Guided by the philosophy “Living with Heritage,” the Vietnam Ethnic Culture and Tourism Village continues to blend tradition with modern expression, fostering a living dialogue between the past and the present.

As the sun sets over the tiled rooftops of the Tay stilt houses and the sound of the gong echoes across the lake, one can sense the pulse of Vietnam  –  diverse yet united, ancient yet ever-renewing.

In that moment, the “Best Community Tourism Destination 2025” title feels less like a trophy, and more like a promise  –  a promise to keep the flame of culture alive, for generations to come.

Tourism Information Technology Center