Nam Da Unlocks Heritage Values for Sustainable Tourism Growth
Ho Mai•01/05/2026 20:58
Amid a land rich in culture and history, Nam Da Commune is making steady efforts to transform traditional values into resources for economic and tourism development.
From traditional festivals to the volcanic cave system within the Dak Nong UNESCO Global Geopark, the locality is paving the way for a tourism development model closely linked with cultural preservation.
The traditional rituals are solemnly preserved by Nam Da residents as a way of safeguarding ancestral memories in their second homeland
From Preserving Traditional Festivals to Unlocking the Potential of Volcanic Landscapes
In 2026, the Long Tong Festival in Nam Da Commune once again emerged as a cultural event that drew many locals and tourists alike.
What started as a small village celebration has now evolved into a commune-level cultural event, enhancing the area's reputation.
This traditional field-opening festival, celebrated by the Tay and Nung ethnic groups, marks the start of a new farming season, with hopes for good weather and plentiful harvests.
Unique ethnic cultures are showcased while promoting Nam Da’s people and landscapes.
Beyond its solemn rituals, the festival also features vibrant folk games such as nem con (cotton ball throwing), tug of war, climbing greased poles, stilt walking, sack racing, and stick pushing, creating a lively atmosphere that strengthens community bonds.
A vibrant festival atmosphere filled with folk games helps connect ethnic communities in the area
Significantly, even after relocating from their mountainous northern homeland, the Tay and Nung communities have upheld their ancestral customs. The festival serves not only as a time to revisit cherished memories but also as a cultural gathering where different generations bond and pass down their heritage.
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We have maintained this festival for nearly 20 years. Even in our second homeland, everyone wants to preserve the traditions left by our ancestors so future generations will remember their roots and continue safeguarding them. We are delighted that the festival is becoming larger in scale and attracting not only local people but also other ethnic communities
Nguyen Van Trong, Nam Tan Hamlet, Nam Da Commune, Lam Dong Province
For Nam Da residents, the festival is more than a cultural event; it unites communities locally and beyond. Vo Dang Du, from Quang Phu commune (Lam Dong Province), remarked: “The festival creates a space for people to gather, celebrate and connect. It also provides visitors from afar the chance to gain a deeper understanding of ethnic cultures, enhancing their sense of belonging within the community.”
Currently, the Long Tong Festival is being developed into a signature cultural tourism product, boosting the region's profile while creating business opportunities and improving residents' quality of life.
Ethnic communities showcase traditional cuisine during the festival
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“Nam Da is home to 19 ethnic groups, creating a vibrant cultural tapestry reflected in traditional attire, cuisine, music, festivals, and custom."
Alongside its cultural variety, the region also features impressive natural and geological assets, particularly the volcanic cave system within the UNESCO-recognized Dak Nong Global Geopark, the Nam Blang volcanic zone, Suoi Nuoc Trong (Ho Da), historical landmarks, and numerous places with significant experiential tourism potential.
Nam Da is blessed with natural beauty and scenic landscapes, opening up strong tourism potential.
These advantages provide a solid foundation for Nam Da to develop discovery tourism, experiential tourism, and community-based tourism linked to agriculture and culture, gradually turning local identity into a driving force for sustainable development.
Visitors explore the volcanic cave system in Nam Da Commune.
Turning Culture into a Driving Force for Development
In addition to preservation efforts, Nam Da is progressively achieving its goal of leveraging culture as a driver for socio-economic growth.
Cultural festivals serve not only as venues for communal gatherings and cultural exchange but also as avenues for showcasing local agricultural products, traditional cuisine, artisan crafts, and community-based tourism models.
Visitors experience the cultural traditions of ethnic minority communities during the festival
The tourism value chain in Nam Da is gradually taking shape, featuring booths showcasing local agricultural specialties and products, as well as options like homestays, farmstays, and models of agritourism. This approach is in line with sustainable development objectives, striking a balance between conserving heritage and enhancing the livelihoods of local residents.
Locals and visitors enthusiastically participate in folk games during Nam Da’s traditional festival
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Members of our Tinh Tau and then singing club regularly perform at tourist destinations. We hope the locality will continue developing tourism sites linked to cultural preservation so that residents can both safeguard heritage and earn additional income.
Nong Thanh Do, Nam Cao Hamlet, Nam Da Commune, Lam Dong Province
Amid modernization, Nam Da has identified culture as a cornerstone of development, placing residents at the center while using tourism as a catalyst. In the Buon Choah area, community members have begun developing an eco-friendly tourism model linked to rice paddies and fertile basalt soil.
Distinctive local products cultivated on volcanic soil contribute to the unique identity of local tourism
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In addition to our signature rice products, the region also produces pomelos, mandarins, avocados, pumpkins, and various other crops that thrive thanks to the nutrient-rich basalt soil derived from Nam Blang Volcano and irrigation from the Serepok River. These unique conditions give the products their distinctive flavors. We aim to link the Buon Choah rice fields with sustainable tourism initiatives to better promote local products and increase local incomes.
Nguyen Thi Duyen, Binh Giang Hamlet, Nam Da Commune, Lam Dong Province
Rice fields, local specialties, volcanic landscapes, and indigenous cultural life are opening a new path for Nam Da. Starting from traditional festivals, the locality is gradually shaping a unique tourism identity where visitors not only sightsee, but also experience and immerse themselves in the community’s cultural space.
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The commune identifies culture as both a driving force and an essential resource for tourism development, creating livelihoods and increasing residents’ incomes
Nguyen Tri Quang, Vice Chairman of Nam Da Commune People’s Committee, Lam Dong Province
When culture is understood in its proper role—as both a heritage asset to be preserved and a resource for development—Nam Da is charting a promising path forward. From the Long Tong Festival to Then singing and dan tinh performances, rice fields, and volcanic caves, these elements are helping shape the area’s distinctive tourism identity.
A corner of Suoi Nuoc Trong (Ho Da) in Nam Da Commune.
Preserving cultural identity to pave the way for growth is not just an option; it has evolved into Nam Da’s sustainable approach for the future. When every traditional value is effectively preserved and highlighted, it goes beyond merely protecting heritage; it also involves unleashing potential and generating momentum for a sustainable future where culture genuinely becomes the region's inherent strength.
