Community-based tourism in Vietnam: A sustainable livelihood for ethnic minority communities
By showcasing unique indigenous cultural values as tourism attractions, community-based experiential tours in Lam Dong Province are opening up fresh livelihood opportunities for ethnic minority communities.
"When visiting a new destination, tourists generally look for fresh experiences, whether it is a new check-in spot, local cuisine, or indigenous culture," said Nguyen Thu Phuong, a tourist from Hanoi. Expressing her deep impression of the K’ho people’s traditional music and dance after experiencing a gong culture performance at a tourist site in Cam Ly - Da Lat Ward, she added: "Cultural stories and local knowledge told directly by the locals always hold a unique appeal."
According to Phuong, enjoying gong music, drinking ruou can (tube wine), and savoring wild mountain flavors within an authentic cultural space offer a vivid, immersive experience. "The gongs reflect the thoughts and emotions of the K’ho people. They serve as a bridge connecting humans with the spiritual world, binding the community together, and preserving cultural knowledge. Through these performances, the K’ho people showcase their masterful command of traditional instruments," Phuong shared.
Artisan K’Mo, a resident of Lang Biang - Da Lat Ward noted that at tourist sites offering gong performances, visitors do not just listen to the music. "They are introduced to different gong melodies and receive detailed explanations regarding the history, customs, traditional rituals, and cultural taboos of the K’ho people," K’Mo said.
According to K’Mo, these initiatives have helped preserve ancestral heritage while boosting the economic well-being of the custodians of the Tay Nguyen Cultural Space of gong Culture .
A survey conducted by Master Nguyen Thi Lang from the Institute of Social Sciences of the Central Highlands —presented at a national scientific conference co-organized by the Lam Dong provincial government and the institute in Da Lat in November 2025—revealed that Ta Nung Commune and Lac Duong are home to 12 gong performance venues. Among these, one is located in the former Ta Nung Commune and 11 in the former Lac Duong Town.
Each performance troupe consists of approximately 17 members, including one master of ceremonies, one T'rung xylophone player, six gong players, six dancers, one organist, and two singers.
"These gong performance venues collaborate closely with one another and maintain tight links with local artists. Each artisan receives a stipend ranging from 100,000 VND to 200,000 VND per performance session," Master Nguyen Thi Lang stated.
Artisan Ka Hem, also from Lang Biang - Da Lat Ward , added: "During peak tourism seasons, an artisan can perform at multiple destinations in a single day."
The Central Highlands Gong Cultural Space has also been developed into tourism products in several localities across Lam Dong, including Dam Rong 4 Commune, Ward 2 Bao Loc, Di Linh Commune and Lac Duong Commune.
These initiatives enable indigenous communities to preserve their traditional cultural values while sharing their customs, lifestyles and accumulated knowledge with visitors in authentic ways.
More importantly, they create sustainable livelihood opportunities by transforming indigenous knowledge into valuable tourism resources. Passed down through countless generations, this cultural heritage has become an important economic asset, allowing local communities to generate income while safeguarding the distinctive identity of the Central Highlands for future generations.