In Thai Hai Village, located just 70 kilometers from Hanoi, elderly residents live meaningful lives in a tight-knit community built on ethnic traditions, communal values, and tourism.
The Thai Hai Ethnic Stilt House Ecological Reserve lies on the same route as Nui Coc Lake and Tan Cuong tea cultural space. Nearly two decades ago, Nguyen Thi Thanh Hai, now 62, who was passionate about Tày culture, founded the village. She bought 30 traditional stilt houses from Tày and Nùng communities in Dinh Hoa and relocated them to the village site.
More than buildings, she envisioned a living, breathing community.
She persuaded families of Tay, Nung, and Kinh origin to join her. Today, around 200 people live together under a rare social system: meals and belongings are shared, income is pooled into a communal fund, and nobody is richer or poorer than anyone else.
Le Thi Hao feels fulfilled living in the village. Photo: Linh Trang
Elderly care as a community mission
Le Thi Nga, deputy head of Thai Hai Village, said 30 elderly residents currently live in the village. A dedicated healthcare team provides medical support, and three daily meals are served at a common dining house, tailored to seniors’ nutritional needs.
Despite their age, many elders remain actively involved in the village’s tourism operations. They teach traditional crafts, greet visitors, and share cultural insights.
Teachers, artisans, and guides in retirement
Le Thi Hao, once a middle school teacher in the former Gang Thep district of Thai Nguyen City, moved to Thai Hai with her husband 17 years ago upon retirement.
Here, she learned bamboo basket weaving from other elders. Today, she teaches this craft to younger villagers and tourists alike - gladly sharing every bit of knowledge she has.
“I’m always at the communal dining area, welcoming guests and explaining how our village works,” she said. “We don’t worry about money or what to cook. We all eat together, and the food is delicious and nutritious. Everyone’s happy - from kids to elders. When someone’s sick, the village takes care of it. I feel strong and deeply content.”
Each villager has a role: one manages livestock, another handles farming, others welcome tourists or prepare herbal medicine.
Elders help preserve traditional crafts and welcome tourists to the village. Photo: Thai Hai Village
A legacy of tea, herbs, and unity
Hà Văn Kiu (62) and his wife Nong Thi Hao (60) specialize in crafting traditional green tea. They roast tea daily for village use and as gifts for guests.
Meanwhile, Ma Thi Liem (60) and her family help conserve and prepare native medicinal plants.
Tourism revenue is not pocketed individually. Instead, it goes to the communal fund, which covers essentials like food, utilities, repairs, school fees, healthcare, medicine, and even weddings and funerals.
International recognition for a local model
On September 27, Thai Hai Village won two top honors at the 2025 Vietnam Tourism Awards: Best Community Tourism Site and Best Tourist Restaurant Service.
Earlier in January, its Tay cultural tourism experience was rated a 5-star OCOP (One Commune One Product) national product. It also received the ASEAN Homestay Award.
In 2022, the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) named Thai Hai one of the world’s best tourism villages - a rare global distinction for a model built on tradition, compassion, and sustainable living.
Vietnamnet.vn
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