Dao people in Nam Dam engage in tourism in digital age

BHG - In a distant country or right in the heart of Vietnam, with just a few clicks on social media, tourists can easily search, book rooms and arrange journeys to explore the Community Tourism Cultural Village of Nam Dam Village in Quan Ba Commune. The application of digital technology has helped bring the village closer to the world.

Ly Thi Liem, owner of Toong homestay in Nam Dam Village, Quan Ba Commune, shares her experience setting up an account on the Booking.com platform.

Previously, Nam Dam was a poor village with self-sufficient production. The turning point came in 2013, when the village was selected to develop community tourism, using Dao ethnic identity as the focal point. Preserving their traditional character, the village quickly became an attractive destination for visitors. Locals utilise social networks such as TikTok, Facebook and Booking.com to share authentic images and videos of their lives, inspiring thousands of followers.

Phan Thi Diem, owner of Diem Bungalow, said: “I started in tourism in 2023 with one stilt house and six bungalow rooms. During festival seasons or buckwheat flower season, guests from Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, and even international visitors come in large numbers. I’ve learnt to take photos, record videos, and build a TikTok channel with over 16,300 followers, with some videos reaching nearly 50,000 views. Thanks to social media, more guests know about my homestay, and they even order Dao costumes that I make.”

Ly Thi Liem, owner of Toong homestay, is also a pioneer in digital transformation: “From the beginning, I created Instagram, Facebook and TikTok accounts to share videos about Dao customs and daily life. Additionally, I set up an account on Booking.com to welcome guests. As a result, my family’s income has increased significantly.”

The village currently has 39 households involved in tourism, welcoming thousands of visitors each year. The traditional earthen wall houses are still perfectly preserved, villagers wear traditional attire, and rituals are held regularly. Despite the explosion of social media, Nam Dam maintains its cultural values, refusing to sell or lease land for tourism businesses.

American tourist Janna Smith shared: “I came to Nam Dam and was very impressed with the nature, people and services. This place is so friendly and charming that I will definitely recommend it to my friends.”

Erasing geographical distances and language barriers, the Dao people both engage in tourism and become “ambassadors” for their homeland. Nam Dam – where traditional identity remains strong in the digital age – is shining in its own unique way.

HA HOA