Tay Ninh: Building Community-Based Tourism from Cultural Heritage

Located where the lowlands meet the mountains, Tay Ninh is a land blessed with diverse landscapes and a rich cultural spirit. In recent years, the province has turned its cultural heritage into a driving force for community-based tourism. This new direction helps create sustainable livelihoods while preserving local identity.

Heritage as a Source of Inspiration

Tay Ninh is home to 22 traditional crafts, 8 official craft villages, 16 national intangible cultural heritages, and 223 historical relics. These cultural assets are valuable foundations for tourism. Festivals, folk performances, and craft villages are now becoming popular with visitors.

One of Tay Ninh’s most famous traditions is the Trang Bang dew-wetted rice paper. This craft, recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage, reflects the creativity and skill of local artisans. Each year, the Trang Bang Rice Paper Culture and Tourism Week attracts tourists eager to watch artisans at work and try making rice paper themselves.

Mr. Le Van Hung, an artisan with more than 40 years of experience, shared:

“Tourism helps our craft reach more people. During festival weeks, visitors love to see how we make and roast rice paper. Many even try it themselves. Thanks to this, our income has improved.”

Besides rice paper, other traditional crafts and festivals such as incense making, mat weaving, bamboo and rattan crafts, chili salt production, and the Ba Den Mountain Lady Festival are also being revived.

Mr. Le Quang Trung, Deputy Head of Tan Xuan Temple’s Management Board, said:

“We hope more people will discover the Lam Chay Festival. It’s a source of pride for our community.”

With its rich heritage and Southern Vietnamese charm, Tay Ninh has all the right conditions to develop community-based tourism — a model where locals lead tourism development and benefit directly from it.

Unlocking Tay Ninh’s Tourism Potential

Although Tay Ninh has great potential, community-based tourism is still developing. Some destinations operate informally. Infrastructure and supporting services are not yet complete, and many locals still lack tourism skills.

To address this, the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Tay Ninh has launched several programs. Deputy Director Nguyen Tan Quoc explained:

“To turn heritage into attractive tourism products, we need better infrastructure, stronger skills, and close cooperation among the government, businesses, and local people.”

The department has promoted rural tourism through the OCOP (One Commune, One Product) program. This effort helps create local specialties, supports jobs, and offers authentic experiences. Tay Ninh also organizes survey tours to connect travel agencies with craft villages and historical sites, forming new, appealing travel routes.

Collaboration Between Government, Businesses, and Communities

The Tay Ninh Tourism Association acts as a bridge between the government, enterprises, and local communities. Its chairman, Mr. Ngo Tran Ngoc Quoc, emphasized:

“Tourism products should not only generate income but also carry the spirit of Tay Ninh — its land and its people.”

The association regularly holds workshops, training sessions, and fam trips to help locals gain new skills. Residents learn how to communicate with tourists, ensure food safety, and use digital tools to promote their services.

Tay Ninh is also building the model “One Village – One Tourism Product,” combining cultural heritage with ecotourism, agriculture, and vegetarian cuisine. These products highlight the province’s unique identity.

Thanks to these efforts, community-based tourism in Tay Ninh is gaining momentum. Locals are more confident and active in welcoming visitors.

A Vision for Sustainable Growth

Tay Ninh’s rich natural and cultural heritage provides a strong foundation for tourism to become a key local industry. Developing tourism alongside heritage preservation supports both economic growth and cultural sustainability.

To achieve this, the province calls for stronger partnerships between government, communities, and private investors. Improvements in infrastructure, service quality, and marketing are essential. Tay Ninh also aims to enhance its image through communication campaigns and digital promotion.

Deputy Director Nguyen Tan Quoc noted:

“Cultural heritage is the foundation of community-based tourism. Tourism, in return, helps preserve and enrich that heritage. Every local should act as a cultural ambassador, and every business as a partner in preservation.”

Mr. Ngo Tran Ngoc Quoc, chairman of the Tourism Association, added:

“Developing tourism through heritage is both an economic goal and a cultural mission. We aim to make Tay Ninh a green and spiritual destination in Southern Vietnam. Local crafts, vegetarian cuisine, and organic farming will become the core of our tourism products.”

With dedication from local people, enterprises, and authorities, Tay Ninh’s community-based tourism is on the rise. The province is steadily becoming a beloved destination for both Vietnamese and international travelers.

images: collected

📍Source: Vietnam Government Portal

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