Lai Chau Develops Community-Based Tourism to Preserve Heritage and Drive Sustainable Economic Growth of Vietnam – Travel And Tour World

Report on Community-Based Tourism Development in Lai Chau Province, Vietnam

Introduction: A Strategy for Sustainable Development

Lai Chau Province in northern Vietnam is implementing a strategic initiative to develop community-based tourism, directly aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This report details the province’s approach, which leverages the unique cultural heritage of its ethnic communities to foster sustainable economic growth, preserve cultural identity, and empower local populations. The framework for this initiative is guided by Resolution No. 04 of the Provincial Party Committee, which mandates the integration of cultural preservation with tourism development.

Core Objectives and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The primary objective of Lai Chau’s tourism model is to create a sustainable and inclusive economic sector that protects and promotes cultural heritage. The initiative makes significant contributions to several key SDGs.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth & SDG 1: No Poverty

The program directly addresses poverty reduction and promotes sustainable economic growth by creating local employment opportunities. Key contributions include:

• Income Generation: Tourism activities, including homestays and the sale of local products, provide direct and sustainable income streams for families in ethnic communities.
• Local Enterprise Development: The initiative fosters the growth of small-scale local businesses in hospitality, handicrafts (e.g., handwoven textiles, embroidery, pottery), and agriculture.
• Economic Diversification: By creating a tourism-based economy, the province reduces reliance on traditional agriculture and provides more resilient livelihoods for its residents.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities & SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The model is centered on safeguarding cultural heritage and empowering marginalized ethnic groups, contributing to more inclusive and sustainable communities.

1. Cultural Heritage Preservation (Target 11.4): The program actively works to protect and promote the distinct languages, customs, and traditional practices of ethnic groups such as the H’mong, Dzao, Thai, and Giay. This is achieved through the revitalization of traditional festivals, cultural events, and ethnic fairs.
2. Empowerment of Ethnic Minorities: By placing local communities at the center of tourism development, the initiative empowers them to take an active role in their economic future, thereby reducing socio-economic inequalities.
3. Community Ownership: The community-based model ensures that economic benefits are retained within the local communities, fostering a sense of ownership and pride in their cultural identity.

Implementation Strategies and Key Initiatives

Fostering Authentic Cultural Experiences

Lai Chau’s strategy focuses on creating authentic and immersive tourism products that are managed by the local communities themselves. Key initiatives include:

• Homestay Development: Visitors are offered opportunities to live with local families, participate in daily activities, and gain firsthand knowledge of traditional lifestyles.
• Cultural Workshops and Performances: Tourists can engage directly with local culture through workshops on traditional crafts, music, and dance, ensuring the preservation and transmission of this knowledge.
• Promotion of Local Markets: Local markets serve as vital platforms for artisans to sell handmade products directly to tourists, creating a direct link between tourism revenue and community empowerment.

Policy, Governance, and Partnerships (SDG 17)

The success of this initiative is underpinned by a strong policy framework and collaborative efforts among various stakeholders.

1. Resolution No. 04: This policy from the Provincial Party Committee provides the guiding principles for ensuring that tourism development supports, rather than erodes, the cultural integrity of ethnic communities.
2. Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration: The provincial government works in partnership with tourism agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the national Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism to develop and promote sustainable tourism policies.
3. Capacity Building: Training programs are provided to local tourism workers, focusing on cultural sensitivity, hospitality skills, and sustainable business practices to ensure high-quality visitor experiences that respect local customs.

Conclusion and Future Outlook

Lai Chau Province’s community-based tourism model serves as an effective blueprint for achieving sustainable development through the preservation of cultural heritage. By integrating economic goals with cultural and social objectives, the province is creating a resilient tourism sector that directly benefits its ethnic communities. Future plans focus on expanding tourism products, diversifying cultural offerings, and strengthening connectivity with international markets. This strategic approach positions Lai Chau as a leading example of how tourism can be a powerful tool for advancing the Sustainable Development Goals in Vietnam and beyond.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The article focuses on creating “sustainable economic growth” and “sustainable incomes” for local communities through tourism. It discusses fostering local businesses in handicrafts, agriculture, and hospitality, which directly relates to promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  A central theme of the article is the preservation of cultural heritage. It highlights efforts to preserve and promote the “fine traditional cultural identities of ethnic communities,” including their languages, customs, and traditional practices. This aligns with the goal of making human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable, particularly by safeguarding cultural heritage.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  The article describes the development of “community-based tourism” and “sustainable tourism” policies. This model encourages responsible tourism that respects local culture and environments, which is a key aspect of ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The article mentions “collaborations between local government authorities, tourism agencies, and NGOs” as well as partnerships with “Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.” This demonstrates the importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships to achieve sustainable development goals, which is the core of SDG 17.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 8.9 (under SDG 8): “By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.”

   The article directly addresses this target by describing how Lai Chau Province is implementing “Resolution No. 04” to develop community-based tourism. This initiative is explicitly designed to promote local culture (the heritage of H’mong, Dzao, and Thai ethnic groups) and local products (handwoven textiles, embroidery, traditional pottery), thereby creating sustainable incomes for the community.

2. Target 11.4 (under SDG 11): “Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage.”

   The entire strategy discussed in the article is a direct effort to achieve this target. The province’s focus is on “preserving and promoting the fine traditional cultural identities,” “revitalizing traditional festivals,” and ensuring that tourism development does not come “at the expense of the ethnic heritage.” The development of homestays and cultural workshops are specific actions to safeguard this living cultural heritage.

3. Target 12.b (under SDG 12): “Develop and implement tools to monitor sustainable development impacts for sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.”

   Resolution No. 04 serves as a policy framework, which is a tool for implementing sustainable tourism. The article also mentions “training programs for local tourism workers” on cultural sensitivity, which is another implementation tool to ensure tourism is sustainable and culturally respectful. The overall approach aims to balance economic benefits with cultural and environmental sustainability, aligning with the goal of monitoring the impacts of tourism.

4. Target 17.17 (under SDG 17): “Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.”

   The article explicitly states that Lai Chau’s efforts are “supported by collaborations between local government authorities, tourism agencies, and NGOs.” It also mentions partnerships with the national “Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.” This highlights the multi-stakeholder approach being used to achieve sustainable tourism growth, directly reflecting the essence of this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• For Target 8.9: The article implies several indicators for measuring the promotion of sustainable tourism. These include:
  • The growth in the number of local businesses in handicrafts, agriculture, and hospitality.
  • The increase in sustainable incomes for local artisans and families.
  • The number of homestays developed and operating within the communities.
  • Revenue generated from the sale of local products like handwoven textiles and pottery to tourists.
• For Target 11.4: Progress in safeguarding cultural heritage can be measured by:
  • The number of traditional festivals, cultural events, and ethnic fairs that have been revitalized and are actively celebrated.
  • The level of participation of ethnic communities in sharing their cultural practices (crafts, music, dances) with visitors.
  • The continued use and preservation of distinct languages and customs within the communities.
• For Target 12.b: The implementation of sustainable tourism policies can be tracked through:
  • The full implementation of policies outlined in “Resolution No. 04.”
  • The number of training programs conducted for local tourism workers on cultural sensitivity and sustainable practices.
  • The development of diversified cultural experiences that align with sustainability goals.
• For Target 17.17: The effectiveness of partnerships can be indicated by:
  • The number of active partnerships between government bodies, tourism agencies, and NGOs.
  • The successful promotion of Lai Chau’s tourism offerings in international markets as a result of these collaborations.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: travelandtourworld.com