Pa Vi Ha - A community-based tourism destination on the Dong Van Karst Plateau

Nestled at the foot of the majestic Ma Pi Leng Pass, Pa Vi Ha hamlet (Meo Vac commune, Tuyen Quang province), stands out like a blossoming flower on the Dong Van Kart Plateau. Covering over 46,000 m2 with nearly 30 households, all of whom are H’mong ethnic people, the Pa Vi Ha Cultural Community Tourism Village has become an attractive destination that preserves the authentic architecture and traditions of H’mong people.

Tourists experience Pa Vi Ha Cultural Community Tourism Village.

Visitors not only admire the spectacular landscapes but also experience the daily life of the H’mong community: wearing traditional costumes, weaving hemp, distilling corn wine, and enjoying local specialties such as “thang co,” “men men,” and smoked pork. Especially during the Gau Tao Festival in spring, the entire village bursts with music from the ‘khen’ (H’mong flute) and vibrant folk games, creating a festive atmosphere unique to the highlands.

Community-based tourism here has created stable livelihoods for locals. Meo Vac Clay House Homestay provides employment for over 30 workers, offering monthly incomes ranging from VND6 million to VND8 million, while also utilizing local farm produce and cultivating organic vegetables for guests. Average household income has doubled or tripled, helping many families escape poverty sustainably.

Beyond improving living standards, tourism has revived traditional crafts, including hemp weaving, brocade making, and corn wine brewing. Children enjoy better education opportunities, while women have stable jobs. Pa Vi Ha also leaves a lasting impression on international travelers by offering authentic cultural experiences rarely found elsewhere.

With strong support from local authorities, Pa Vi Ha has become a focal point in the province’s community-based tourism strategy. By aligning cultural preservation with service quality improvement, it is gradually shaping its identity as a sustainable, professional, and welcoming model of tourism.

On the Dong Van Karst Plateau, Pa Vi Ha today is both a guardian of H’mong cultural heritage and a gateway for economic growth, showcasing the beauty of the land and people at Vietnam’s northernmost frontier.

On the Dong Van Karst Plateau, Pa Vi Ha today is both a guardian of H’mong cultural heritage and a gateway for economic growth, showcasing the beauty of the land and people at Vietnam’s northernmost frontier.

Duc Quy