Xi Thoai Hamlet in Vietnam Enhances Their Cultural Tourism with Community-Based Initiatives, Preserving Ba Na Heritage and Driving Sustainable Growth

Published on December 20, 2025

Xi Thoai hamlet, nestled in the Xuan Lanh commune of Vietnam’s Dak Lak province, has carved a niche for itself as a cultural tourist destination by blending cultural heritage from the Ba Na ethnic minority group with sustainable tourism ethics. Famous for its typical musical style—“Trong doi, cong ba, chieng nam” or Double drums, triple gongs, quintuple chieng—the place has emerged as a cultural heritage preservation zone of importance that draws both national and international attention.

Associated with this music is the traditional brocade weaving that represented both forms of cultural expression, which were accorded national intangible cultural heritage status in 2016. In particular, this emphasizes the value of cultural traditions in the Ba Na people. The community-based tourism service project operated in Xi Thoai has contributed to maintaining this tradition and provided local people with sustainable livelihoods with better income.

The Trong Doi, Cong Ba, Chieng Nam Festival: A Cultural Highlight

Each year, at the end of January, Xi Thoai hamlet hosts the Trong Doi, Cong Ba, Chieng Nam Festival, a celebration that attracts both locals and visitors alike. The festival highlights Ba Na culture, with performances of traditional rituals and drum and gong music, creating a unique cultural atmosphere as part of the Lunar New Year celebrations.

During this festival, the resonant sounds of the gong blend with drum rhythms, moving from gentle, flowing tunes to lively, vibrant beats. The festival is an eagerly anticipated cultural event, with artisans practicing for months to ensure their performances are at their best. It is not just a cultural showcase, but a source of pride for the community, celebrating their heritage while fostering cultural tourism.

Reviving and Sharing Ba Na Culture through Tourism

In partnership with local authorities and organizations, Xi Thoai has successfully transformed into a community-based tourism village. Since its shift in 2000 from a remote cultural village to a more tourism-oriented destination, Xi Thoai has continued to evolve. In 2024, the hamlet was recognized as a traditional brocade weaving craft village, further cementing its role in preserving and promoting Ba Na culture.

The establishment of a community tourism cooperative in 2024, with support from a Netherlands-Vietnam organization, marked a significant step in the hamlet’s tourism development. The cooperative offers a range of experiences, including cultural performances, brocade weaving workshops, traditional rice wine tastings, and sightseeing opportunities. These activities allow visitors to engage directly with local traditions while contributing to the economic growth of the community.

Tourism as a Tool for Sustainable Livelihoods and Cultural Preservation

For local artisans like Dinh Van May, participation in the tourism cooperative has opened new opportunities for cultural exchange and income generation. The frequent performances of traditional gong music and other cultural expressions have helped spread Ba Na cultural values to a broader audience, while providing artisans with an additional source of income.

Visitors to Xi Thoai, such as Ho Dinh Loi from Ho Chi Minh City, have expressed admiration for the powerful performances, particularly in the majestic natural setting of the village. Many visitors, like Ho, express interest in returning for overnight stays, giving them more time to explore local tourism products and deeper cultural experiences.

Brocade weaving, one of the village’s cultural highlights, has been reinvigorated with official and social support. The intricate designs and distinctive ethnic patterns woven into scarves, bags, and skirts are a symbol of Ba Na life and culture. As demand for these products grows, it has created both economic opportunities for artisans and a platform for cultural preservation.

A Sustainable Future for Tourism and Local Development

The growth of community-based tourism in Xi Thoai is an example of how rural tourism can be a sustainable model that balances cultural preservation with economic development. Le Van Khuong, head of the community tourism cooperative, believes that agricultural and rural tourism is becoming increasingly attractive to travelers seeking authentic, local experiences. This trend offers areas like Xi Thoai a unique opportunity to promote their culture while contributing to socio-economic development.

Xuan Lanh commune’s People’s Committee Chairman emphasized the importance of this community-based model in harmonizing cultural and natural assets. The commune plans to continue supporting homestays, experiential tours, skills training, and infrastructure investment to attract more visitors and create sustainable jobs for the local population. This approach is central to improving living standards and enhancing local resilience, while also enriching tourist experiences with deeper cultural immersion.

Future Impact: Boosting Local Economy and Preserving Cultural Heritage

As Xi Thoai expands its tourism offerings, the future impact on both local livelihoods and cultural heritage is poised to be profound. By integrating traditional crafts like brocade weaving and gong performances into the tourism experience, the village is ensuring that these age-old practices are preserved for future generations, while simultaneously providing economic benefits. The sustainable tourism model encourages cultural exchange and economic diversification, driving inclusive growth and social development in the region.

The Xi Thoai community-based tourism project is setting an example for other rural areas in Vietnam and beyond, showcasing how tourism can serve as a tool for preserving cultural traditions while also providing tangible benefits to local communities. As more visitors are drawn to authentic experiences, Xi Thoai’s tourism model will likely inspire similar initiatives in other areas, creating opportunities for rural tourism and cultural preservation globally.

A Model for Sustainable, Cultural Tourism in Vietnam

Xi Thoai Village is one of the first hamlets to develop community-based tourism models. Until now, this tourism has balanced economic growth and preserved cultural traditions. Its integration of Ba Na traditions into the tourism offerings of the village, with strong involvement and support of the community, will help preserve the cultural identity while fostering socio-economic development. As tourism continues to grow in Xi Thoai, the community will increasingly solidify its position as a leader among similar destinations for travelers seeking immersive, authentic cultural experiences and contribute towards a sustainable future of rural tourism in Vietnam. This model of cultural tourism, therefore, comes with huge prospects for the future in the local economy and the preservation of cultural heritage in rural Vietnam.