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| Doi Village is gradually developing community-based tourism associated with local cultural preservation |
Living with the Village
After returning to Khe Tre for the first time in many years, I chose An Hanh Homes in Doi Village as my place to stay. Prior to the trip, I had come across numerous photos and videos of the homestay on social media and was drawn into its well-presented facilities and thoughtfully promoted services, which ultimately convinced me to make it my accommodation of choice.
At An Hanh Homes, we were warmly welcomed by the residents. The homestay owner introduced a range of experiential activities that Doi Village tourism community has developed to enrich visitors’ experiences.
For our first meal in the village, we were served familiar highland specialties such as grilled free-range pork, hill chicken, and forest vegetables, all prepared by the locals. The dishes were simple yet distinctive, offering visitors a distinctive taste of Khe Tre’s highland cuisine. According to several tourism households in Doi Village, traditional cuisine has become one of the favorite experiences of visitors exploring community-based tourism in Khe Tre highlands.
Ms. Ho Thi Non, a local tour guide, guided us through several Doi Village’s key cultural landmarks. Whether it was the Zeng weaving space, knitting workshop area, or the village’s Guol communal house, each stop reflected the traditions, customs, and way of life that have long shaped the identity of the Co Tu community.
According to Ms. Non, preserving the village’s traditional lifestyle and cultural identity remains a key priority for the local tourism community. Consequently, many hands-on experiences are built around the daily activities of residents, allowing travelers to engage more closely with authentic village life. “Visitors today are keen on exploring local culture firsthand. They are curious about how people live, what they eat, and the occupations they pursue. As a result, experiential tours are often tailored to meet these expectations,” she explained.
To enrich visitors’ experiences, a growing number of homestays in Doi Village now offer activities ranging from making handmade souvenirs, sampling traditional black glutinous rice wine, to joining cultural performances or experiencing the long-standing crafts of the Co Tu people.
In the coming years, the village’s tourism community plans to partner with local garden owners to introduce orchard experiences, allowing visitors to harvest oranges and pineapples and explore fruit farms across the area. “Doi Village has many well-maintained and scenic orchards. Developing experiential tours will not only provide visitors with more opportunities to explore the area but also generate additional income for local households,” Ms. Non noted.
During my trip, the evening in Doi Village became especially lively as the village’s troupes presented traditional gong performances and folk dances for visitors. Gathered around a crackling fire in the courtyard of the Guol communal house, many tourists joined hands with residents, immersing themselves in the vibrant circle dances and experiencing the community’s rich cultural heritage.
Doi Village currently has around 6 homestays in operation. In addition to offering lodging services, many local families have diversified their tourism-related activities by making handicrafts, souvenirs, cooking black sticky rice wine, and making other locally sourced products to enhance visitors’ interest.
Paving the Way for the Development of Community-based Tourism
As homestay tourism continues to expand, the tourism community in Doi Village is increasingly exploiting the rich cultural heritage of the Co Tu people to create a distinctive identity for the destination. Traditional Zeng weaving, knitting, local culinary specialties, and community cultural performances remain an integral part of each experiential tour to serve tourists.
Mr. Duong Thanh Phuoc, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Khe Tre Commune, said: “Local authorities are working closely with the community to expand tourism in tandem with the preservation of Co Tu cultural heritage. We are continuing to invest in infrastructure, enhance visitor experiences, and improve tour connectivity as part of our efforts to develop sustainable community-based tourism. Infrastructure projects such as the road leading to Kazan Waterfall, lighting systems, scenic check-in points, a cultural performance stage, and experiential spaces within the Co Tu Cultural Village are being upgraded to better accommodate visitors. Furthermore, the locality is also committed to helping residents strengthen their tourism service skills, while developing additional experiential products, ensuring that visitors have more opportunities to explore when they choose to travel to Doi Village”.
Beyond investing in infrastructure and tourism products, local authorities are also stepping up promotional efforts through digital platforms. Community-run fan pages, experiential videos, and visual content showcasing Co Tu culture are increasingly being created by local young people to introduce Doi Village and its unique cultural heritage to a wider audience of travelers.
Another initiative being pursued by the tourism community in Doi Village is the development of green tourism, with a focus on reducing plastic waste and preserving the village’s natural landscape. Many homestays have begun adopting environmentally friendly products, while residents are encouraged to take part in maintaining cleanliness at tourism sites.
Leaving Doi Village after our return visit to Khe Tre, what left the deepest impression on us was the warmth of the local people and the way tourism has been developed from the fabric of their everyday lives. The cultural values of the Co Tu community are carefully preserved through daily practices, traditional cuisine, handicrafts, and community activities, all of which contribute to shaping the distinctive identity of community-based tourism in Doi Village today.