From traditional weaving and bamboo craft, the Co Tu people in Bhơ Hoong village, Song Kon commune, Da Nang, are opening up new livelihood opportunities through community-based tourism - preserving cultural identity while gradually improving living standards.

Traditional crafts enter tourism

Deep in the Truong Son mountains, Bhơ Hoong village is undergoing a quiet transformation. Where livelihoods once depended largely on shifting cultivation, the village has now become a destination for community tourism. The rhythmic sounds of looms and bamboo weaving are no longer just part of daily life, but have become integral to the visitor experience.

Inside a stilt house, Aral Thi Gay sits by her loom, carefully guiding each thread. Patterns in red, black and yellow gradually emerge - familiar motifs deeply rooted in Co Tu life.

In the past, brocade products were mainly used in festivals or within households. Today, they are sought-after souvenirs for visitors.

“Before, we wove brocade just to wear. Now visitors come, watch and buy. I feel happy and proud. It brings extra income for my children’s education, but more importantly, they understand that our ancestors’ craft is still alive,” Gay said.

Alongside weaving, men in the village continue the tradition of bamboo craft. Bamboo and rattan are split and shaped into baskets, trays, plates and jewellery boxes. Each piece is handmade, requiring patience and precision.

According to Aral Thi Muc, head of the village’s bamboo craft group, 15 households are currently involved in producing bamboo products for tourism, while around 50 women engage in brocade weaving.

“During peak seasons, we can barely keep up with demand. Visitors enjoy watching the process and hearing the stories behind the patterns,” she said.

At local events, Bhơ Hoong’s stalls consistently draw attention. Hundreds of handcrafted products, rich in Co Tu cultural identity, are displayed and sold.

A handwoven loincloth is priced from VND800,000 to over VND1 million (US$33 to US$41); skirts range from VND500,000 to VND700,000 (US$21 to US$29); and a pair of shawls can reach VND1.2 million (US$49). Bamboo products are priced according to craftsmanship. These sales have helped many households secure more stable incomes, reducing reliance on traditional farming.

Visitor Nguyen Van Dong from Xuan Ha ward said he was impressed by the craftsmanship. “A basket may look simple, but when you learn about how the materials are selected and smoked to prevent mould, you realise how much effort goes into it. I bought one because it carries a strong cultural identity, unlike mass-produced souvenirs,” he said.

Beyond handicrafts, local women also participate in culinary and performance teams serving visitors. Guests can cook traditional dishes, listen to gong performances and watch the tung tung da da dance - often described as a “dance offered to the heavens”. Tourism, therefore, not only generates income but also revives cultural space.

Elders preserve, youth innovate

From looms inside stilt houses to baskets once used in daily farming, traditional crafts have now entered the market. Yet for the model to remain sustainable, the village depends on both cultural custodians and community connectors.

In his seventies, respected village elder Bhling Bloo continues to sit beside piles of bamboo, carefully splitting each strip. The processed pieces are then placed above the kitchen fire to absorb smoke, preventing moisture and creating the characteristic brown tone.

For him, bamboo weaving is more than a livelihood - it is a way to preserve the village’s memory. He also runs free classes for young people. Many initially joined out of curiosity, but after seeing the popularity of the products, they chose to stay committed.

“This craft sustains us, but more importantly, it preserves the soul of the Co Tu people,” he said.

If Bloo represents continuity, Dinh Thi Thin, born in 1989 and former secretary of the village Party cell, represents change. After studying Vietnamese studies, she returned home in 2012 to develop community tourism.

In the early days, she personally welcomed guests, provided tours and connected villagers to participate in accommodation and services. Believing that language is key, Thin organised free English classes for more than 30 local residents, enabling women and young people to communicate with international visitors.

“I hope tourism brings additional income, but more importantly, that young people understand and take pride in their culture. When you recognise its value, you won’t abandon it,” she said.

Thin went on to establish ACu Homestay - the first private homestay in Bhơ Hoong. While preserving traditional architecture, it has been adapted to meet modern travel needs. Visitors can stay overnight, learn weaving and bamboo craft, prepare local dishes, listen to gongs and immerse themselves in Co Tu cultural life.

Currently, Bhơ Hoong welcomes more than 100 visitors each month. While tourism has yet to generate significant revenue, it has created local jobs, allowing many young people to remain in their hometown rather than migrate for work. Artisans are motivated to pass on their skills, women gain additional income and traditional products have found more stable markets.

From a village of nearly 700 people once reliant on subsistence farming, Bhơ Hoong is gradually diversifying its economy. Traditional crafts are no longer relics of the past, but have become the foundation for a new development path - one where culture is preserved and livelihoods are steadily improved in the heart of the Truong Son mountains.

Ha Nam