Dong Nai develops tourism from its cultural roots

Developing tourism in close connection with the preservation, safeguarding, and promotion of the cultural identities of ethnic communities is the approach Dong Nai province is pursuing to realize a people-centered development perspective, ensuring the right to preserve, practice, and benefit from traditional cultural values.

A gong (Cong Chieng) performance group at the Soc Bom Bo S’tieng Cultural Conservation Area. Photo: Tu Huy

Placing culture at the center of tourism development strategies is regarded as a fundamental and long-term approach.

Forest-based ecotourism: When cultural communities are the driving force

At Bu Gia Map National Park, community-based ecotourism is proving to be an effective development model. More than 74 percent of the local population are ethnic minorities, representing 17 different groups, with the M’nong and S’tieng accounting for the most significant shares. Here, the M’nong and S’tieng communities are not only long-standing residents but also serve as forest guardians, preserving and protecting the forest through their own cultural practices. Through ecotourism initiatives, M’nong and S’tieng residents are directly involved as tour guides, gong performers, cooks, and cultural ambassadors for visitors. Traditional dishes such as Lam rice (rice cooked in bamboo tubes), thut soup, and ruou can (stem liquor) are more than just culinary offerings; they embody indigenous knowledge and reflect the deep connection between people and nature.

Thi Lien, a M’nong woman and one of the young people preserving cultural traditions in Bu Gia Map commune, Dong Nai province, shared that: “In the past, traditional dishes were prepared only for family use. Now that tourists visiting the national park wish to learn about them, she feels encouraged and motivated to maintain the craft. Tourism allows me to preserve our ethnic culture while earning additional income to support my family.”

According to statistics from the Bu Gia Map National Park Management Board, since early 2025, M’nong and S’tieng community cultural groups have welcomed more than 2,000 visitors, generating approximately VND 50 million from gong performances and around VND 500 million from guiding services, cuisine, and ecotourism experiences. This income has helped many households achieve more stable livelihoods while strengthening their sense of responsibility for forest protection.

Dieu Thap, head of the M’nong–S’tieng community cultural group at Bu Gia Map National Park, noted that: “Preserving culture requires individuals themselves to actively practice and safeguard it by learning from elders and passing it on to younger generations. Tourism linked to culture creates livelihoods and motivates us to remain in place and continue protecting the forest.

Hoang Anh Tuan, Deputy Director of Bu Gia Map National Park, emphasized that: “We have established co-management mechanisms and transparent benefit-sharing arrangements to ensure local people feel confident about participating. When communities earn income from tourism, they become more closely connected to the forest and more proactive in conservation efforts.”

Soc Bom Bo – a living historical heritage in the present

At the Soc Bom Bo S’tieng Cultural Conservation Area in Bom Bo commune, Dong Nai province, a different approach can be seen, one that transforms historical memory into a resource for present-day development. Historical stories are conveyed through oral narratives, gong rhythms, and the sound of rice pounding, creating a distinctive attraction for visitors.

At Soc Bom Bo, S’tieng people directly participate in performances and introduce traditional crafts such as basket weaving, brocade weaving, and ruou can making. These activities not only serve tourism but also generate stable income, helping residents strengthen their attachment to their heritage. Dieu Lon, a 75-year-old S’tieng artisan known for basket weaving and gong performances, shared that: “I am old now and cannot do heavy labor anymore, but I can still play the gongs and weave baskets. Each performance brings me a few hundred thousand dong, helping me make a living while keeping my ethnic culture alive.”

According to the Soc Bom Bo Heritage Management Center, the site welcomes tens of thousands of visitors annually, generating income for the community. More importantly, S’tieng culture is not confined to display but is also practiced in everyday life. Pham Anh Tuan, Director of the Bom Bo commune Integrated Service Center, shared that: “Visitors to Bom Bo most enjoy hearing S’tieng people themselves recount their history and culture, because it is precisely their simplicity that creates a sense of authenticity, distinctive and appealing to visitors.”

“Ethnic minority communities hold a central and decisive role in community-based tourism associated with sustainable livelihoods. In the coming period, Dong Nai will continue to develop tourism centered on ethnic minority communities, promote the digitalization of resources, empower younger generations, and tightly integrate cultural identity preservation with sustainable livelihoods, thereby carrying ethnic cultural values forward in the process of modern development.”

Ta Lai Village – empowering the younger generation to safeguard culture

The community-based tourism model in Ta Lai village, Ta Lai commune, is another example of culture-driven tourism development. Here, tourism is a process of telling the community’s own cultural story. Brocade weaving, basket making, rituals, customs, and concepts of family and filial piety are transformed into tourism products with substantial humanistic depth.

Not only women, but men in the village also find their roles through handcrafted products. For them, each basket is not merely a commodity but a cultural symbol associated with responsibility and protection. K Soi, a Chau Ma man, shared that: “I can no longer go into the forest, but I still weave baskets to sell to visitors. Having additional income makes me very happy.”

Statistics show that Ta Lai welcomes thousands of visitors each year, including international tourists, generating stable income for artisans. More importantly, culture is not only preserved but also becomes a long-term development resource. The Ta Lai community-based tourism model, initiated by young people, has created a connection between tradition and modernity. Ka Tuyen, the model’s founder, said that: “For development to be sustainable, the community must be empowered. People need to live true to their livelihoods, their culture, and who they are as individuals.”

By Thu Ha, Thanh Thao, Dao Bang - Translated by Thu Hien, Minho