About 4 km from the center of Van Son commune (Tan Lac) and located at an altitude of 800 m above sea level, Chien hamlet is known as a peaceful and beautiful Muong village. Along with pristine nature and an ideal temperate climate, this place also preserves many traditional cultural features of the Muong ethnic people.

Nowadays, many families living in ethnic minority areas are switching to building houses or long concrete houses to live in. The Chien hamlet community is among the few who are still attached to their familiar stilt houses. The stilt houses here are built in the traditional architectural style of wood, with roofs made of tiles or proximang panels. Tourists visiting the hamlet are often attracted by the looming beauty and simplicity of the stilt houses surrounded by nature and the spacious highland scenery.

     The Chien hamlet community tourist site retains the familiar style of stilt houses

One thing that always leaves visitors with an impression of Muong village is the friendliness of the people. Mr. Tran Tuan Viet, Kien Hung ward, Ha Dong district (Ha Noi) shared “when we got out of the car to start the journey to visit the village, the people here were very welcoming and enthusiastic in giving instructions. During the 2 days and 1 night stay, my brothers and sisters and I in the group had a complete trip, enjoying the fresh air, experiencing sleeping in a stilt house, exploring Nam Son cave, admiring three ancient lychees are several hundred years old, enjoy many delicious rustic dishes and receive the sincere and rustic hospitality of highland ethnic people”.

Thanks to retaining its cultural values, geographical and human potential, in 2019, Chien hamlet received financial support from the Australian Foundation for the People of Asia and the Pacific to implement the project "Improving sustainable livelihoods sustainable through the development of community tourism". From this motivating resource, three households in the hamlet have implemented a homestay model for tourists, including homestays in Hai Than, Xuan Truong, and Thu Bi. Also with the development of community tourism, people have been attracted to participate in tourism associated with preserving cultural identity. Currently, the hamlet has formed art and culinary groups, welcoming guests and tour guides, sales services, and vehicle rentals.

The performance team of Chien hamlet performs ethnic show for tourists

According to Mr. Ha Van Hun, Party Secretary of Chien hamlet, the hamlet has nearly 80 households, about 400 people, mainly Muong ethnic people living and doing agricultural work such as growing rice, raising cattle and poultry. Since the introduction of the community tourism model, people have increasingly raised the spirit of solidarity; promote cultural identity, especially in speech, customs, and costumes; Be conscious of protecting and taking care of the environmental landscape, voluntarily move livestock barns away from residential areas, and keep village roads and alleys bright and clean.

Although it was formed later than other community tourism destinations of the district and province, due to its unique differences in highland climate and rich cultural identity, Chien hamlet is one of the most popular destinations that many tourists chosen. At this destination, visitors have the opportunity to visit the national scenic spot Nam Son cave, the relics of Nui Kien cave, and learn about biodiversity and natural landscapes. This place is also famous for its countless ancient tangerine hills, which are destinations to visit, experience and enjoy at the end of the year. Visitors to the hamlet can also explore the Van Son market that takes place every Tuesday and shop for a variety of agricultural products such as Bac Son purple garlic, Quyet Chien off-season vegetables, herbs, and wild bamboo shoots, Shan Tuyet tea, Ngo Luong native chicken and pig, Huop Lung Van wine, etc.

                                                                           Bùi Minh – Hoa Binh Newspaper