A peaceful Tay ethnic village in Bac Son district, Lang Son province is capturing the hearts of international travelers with its expansive rice fields, limestone mountains, and hundreds of traditional stilt houses.
A foreign guest falls in love
Just days ago, during a journey through northern Vietnam, 54-year-old Irishman David happened to pass by a village in Lang Son.
He was stunned by the scene: golden rice fields stretching flat across the valley, limestone mountains layered in the distance, and a gentle river winding through the land. Nestled along the fields were wooden houses with intricate designs, blending seamlessly into the landscape.
Without hesitation, David entered the village and booked a homestay for a few days to fully enjoy the “painting-like” scenery, fresh air, and peaceful atmosphere. He arrived just in time to experience the “golden season” harvest festivities.
“I’m not sure how long I’ll stay - it’s just too beautiful here. I want to take in every detail,” David shared. “I’m particularly drawn to the traditional homes with handmade tiled roofs, weathered wood columns, wooden staircases and doors. They're absolutely charming.”
David, a tourist from Ireland, mesmerized by the village landscape in Lang Son. Photo: Nguyen Huy
Beyond the scenery, David was also captivated by the local cuisine, including specialties like smoked sausages, roasted pork, black square sticky rice cakes, and stir-fried greens.
“The people are incredibly warm and welcoming. They greeted me like a long-lost friend coming home. There’s no sense of distance at all,” he added.
The village David discovered is Quynh Son, a community-based tourism site in Bac Son, Lang Son. Much to his surprise, he later found out it had just been named the “World’s Best Tourism Village 2025.”
“With its natural beauty, friendly people, and unique culture, Quynh Son truly deserves this title,” he said.
Quynh Son village was awarded “World’s Best Tourism Village 2025”. Photo: Nam Nguyen
Another traveler, Alex from Canada, also spent three days exploring Quynh Son and the surrounding Bac Son Valley during the rice harvest season.
For the first time in his life, Alex witnessed local farmers harvesting rice, pounding grain, and preparing traditional black sticky rice cakes - dishes he had only seen online before. Eager to join in, he cheered and celebrated with the villagers.
“I found this place through Google, but was quickly enchanted by its scenery, culture, and especially the kindness of the people. I didn’t need a tour guide - the local kids came up to me, told me all about village life, and made the whole experience unforgettable,” Alex said.
Alex joins villagers in the excitement of rice harvesting. Photo: Nguyen Huy
A global spotlight
The “World’s Best Tourism Village 2025” award not only affirms Quynh Son’s rich cultural heritage but also signals a path toward sustainable tourism development.
According to Tran Thi Bich Hanh, Deputy Director of Lang Son’s Center for Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion, one of the key reasons Quynh Son received the award was its strong preservation of local cultural values.
The village is home to over 400 traditional stilt houses, all aligned to face south and roofed with yin-yang tiles. The valley is surrounded by terraced rice fields, and the community maintains traditional crafts like bamboo weaving, brocade weaving, and black sticky rice cake making.
Traditional stilt houses of the Tay ethnic group. Photo: Nguyen Huy
The locals are known for their hospitality and harmonious way of life, preserving the Tày people’s customs and practices in their entirety. This consistency in architecture, community lifestyle, and cultural expression deeply impressed the international judging panel.
“Winning the title was already a challenge - maintaining and building on it will be even more difficult,” said Ms. Hanh. “Our priorities going forward are to protect our cultural heritage and improve the quality of community-based tourism services.”
According to representatives of various travel agencies, being recognized as the “World’s Best Tourism Village 2025” has significantly boosted both domestic and international interest in Quynh Son and other Lang Son exploration tours.
Vietnamnet.vn
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