Lang Biang – Da Lat: The Heart of Community-Based Tourism

A vibrant land of diverse cultures

Lang Biang - Da Lat Ward, home to over 40,000 residents, is a mosaic of 25 ethnic groups — including the K’ho, Tay, Thai, Muong, Hoa, Nung, Dao, and Cham peoples — with ethnic minorities making up nearly 25% of the population. For generations, they have cultivated a rich communal life and a colorful cultural landscape that reflects the essence of the Central Highlands.

During each festive season, the sound of gongs echoes through the great forest, resonating with drumbeats and songs that seem to pulse with the heartbeat of the land and its people.

Where culture meets nature

Blessed with serene landscapes of rolling hills, encircling mountains, and cool, fresh air, Lang Biang – Da Lat is a haven for eco-tourism and community-based travel — a balance between preservation and development. Visitors come not only for the beauty but to experience the spirit of the highlands, where every smile and greeting carries the warmth of genuine hospitality.

A must-visit destination is Cu Lan Village, located just a few kilometers from the ward center. Nestled at the foot of Mount Lang Biang, this 30-hectare village resembles a fairytale painting amid a pristine forest. Visitors can stroll along murmuring streams, admire moss-covered stones, and spot traditional stilt houses hidden among pine trees. At local weaving workshops, women skillfully move their shuttles, bringing colorful brocade patterns to life.

In the village’s small “Chồm Hổm” market, locals display handmade crafts — bracelets, fabric bags, and wooden ornaments — that reflect their connection to nature.

When night falls, the rhythmic echo of gongs returns. Visitors gather around the campfire with villagers, sharing "cơm lam" (bamboo-cooked rice), grilled meats, and "rượu cần (fermented rice wine) while listening to tales of ancestors, mountains, and the gentle-hearted K’ho people whose kindness feels as soft as the morning mist.

Tourism and agriculture in harmony

About 70% of Lang Biang’s residents still depend on agriculture, yet many have embraced high-tech farming combined with experiential tourism. Across the green hills, visitors can explore farms growing Arabica coffee, strawberries, artichokes, garlic, and mushrooms. They can pick fresh fruit, chat with farmers, and inhale the earthy scent of newly turned soil.

Many tourists choose to stay in K’ho homestays, waking early to harvest coffee or learn traditional weaving and cooking. This authenticity — simple, warm, and unpretentious — has become the signature of Lang Biang’s community tourism.

Empowering local communities

According to Tran Thi Chuc Quynh, Secretary of the Lang Biang - Da lat Ward Party Committee and Chairwoman of the People’s Council, the K’ho people are now the central force driving community-based tourism. They preserve traditional crafts while actively welcoming visitors, offering genuine cultural experiences rooted in their heritage.

Cultural tourism activities are increasingly well-organized, forming a distinctive identity for the region. Landmarks such as Mount Lang Biang, Golden Valley, Cu Lan Village, and the Central Highlands Gong Cultural Space not only attract travelers but also promote local values, bringing the image of the K’ho people closer to friends across Vietnam and around the world.