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Tourists explore and check in at the cloud-hunting spot in Thung Mai hamlet, Hang Kia commune (Mai Chau).
Home to a concentrated Hmong population with five hamlets, nearly 700 households, and approximately 3,800 residents, Hang Kia boasts diverse terrain dominated by high hills and steep mountains. The commune is characterized by small valleys and a temperate climate. Several natural sites are being considered for tourism development to enhance the area's appeal, including the 52-hectare A Lang Valley in Hang Kia 2 hamlet, which retains its rustic, untouched beauty; the Cong Troi (Heaven’s Gate) area at an altitude of 1,100 meters; and the Pa Khom – Thung Mai area at 1,500 meters above sea level, which offers sweeping views of the region, including Pu Luong peak (Thanh Hoa) and Pha Luong peak (Son La).
According to Mr. Kha A Lau, Chairman of the Hang Kia Commune People’s Committee, the commune’s natural landscape provides an opportunity to develop ecotourism, community-based tourism, and adventure tourism products. In recent years, with support from the Party and State through incentive policies, tourism activities in the area have seen significant progress. Participation in tourism festivals, fairs, and investment promotion conferences has helped advertise the commune’s tourism potential, imagery, and products. As a result, local living standards have improved, with many residents finding employment and generating income through community-based tourism models.
Inspired by Ms. Sung Y Mua - a pioneer in community-based tourism in Hang Kia 1 hamlet, other households have also joined the model. The commune established the Hang Kia Tourism and Agricultural Services Cooperative, which includes 11 members, mostly young Hmong men and women with the mindset and aspiration to develop the tourism economy and contribute to building their homeland. Since its inception in 2020, the cooperative has actively promoted the natural beauty and unique cultural experiences of the area.
Beyond its stunning landscapes, Hang Kia is also rich in ethnic identity, preserving numerous unique cultural elements such as traditional attire, language, cuisine, and crafts of the Hmong people. French tourist Mr. Herman Miller shared: "I am truly amazed. While many ethnic minority areas have lost their cultural identity, the Hmong communities in Hang Kia and Pa Co still maintain their traditional customs. Hmong women and children continue to wear traditional clothing, and practices like flax cultivation, embroidery, and brocade weaving remain vibrant.”
Visitors to Hang Kia can enjoy a wide range of authentic experiences. The area offers an ideal cloud-hunting location, perfect for camping, sightseeing, and checking in at the iconic "lonely tree” at Cong Troi in Thung Mai hamlet. A La waterfall, flowing beneath the forest canopy, descends from the heart of the mountain into the fields. Locals have arranged stones to form a natural bathing pool, offering visitors a relaxing and rejuvenating experience. Other activities include trekking through old-growth forests and immersing oneself in the local community’s daily life.
Tourists can also participate in agricultural experiences such as harvesting crops, picking plums and peaches, and engaging in traditional crafts like beeswax painting, linen weaving, indigo dyeing, and "giang” paper making. Cultural highlights include reenactments of the banh day (glutinous rice cake) pounding festival, folk games, and cultural exchange events.
Several notable homestays in the area include Y Mua Homestay, A La Homestay, and Y Sao Homestay. The infrastructure and service quality at these community guesthouses generally meet visitors’ expectations. Hang Kia’s community-based tourism has been recognized as a 4-star One Commune One Product (OCOP) offering. Households participating in tourism are actively collaborating to link tours and routes and continue to develop and refine local tourism products, enriching the visitor experience and attracting more tourists.
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