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Among emerging destinations, Huu Lien commune in Lang Son province stands out with its community-based tourism model, which combines local cultural experiences and adventure sports activities. This model also contributes to improving living standards and creating sustainable livelihoods for local people.
Recently, Huu Lien commune, Lang Son province, was honored to have two destinations win ASEAN Tourism Awards 2025 in the following categories: the ASEAN Community-Based Tourism (CBT) Award for Huu Lien community tourism destination and the ASEAN Homestay Award for Yen Thinh homestay cluster. These prestigious international awards recognize and celebrate rich and outstanding cultural and natural resources, contributing to attracting domestic and international tourists.
Huu Lien commune currently has 1,873 households with 8,042 inhabitants, mainly from four ethnic groups: Kinh, Tay, Nung, and Dao. Spread across 16 villages, the commune currently has 36 households operating homestay services, creating a dynamic community tourism network.
Developing livelihoods through tourism.
From vast rice paddies to tranquil villages, community-based tourism in Huu Lien commune, Lang Son province, not only offers unique experiences for tourists but also opens up new avenues for improving the lives of local people.
This frontier region has emerged as an ideal destination for travelers seeking a blend of rich local culture and the thrill of adventure sports.
Having started community-based tourism in 2018, homestay owners, like many other residents of Huu Lien, faced numerous challenges. Initially, a lack of experience and an unfamiliar destination made everything seem daunting. However, thanks to the attention and promotional support from the local government, the homestays gradually became known to and booked by many tourists, especially international visitors. In recent years, the number of tourists visiting Huu Lien has increased significantly, opening up new opportunities for the local community.
Huu Lien commune (formerly Yen Thinh) possesses a unique, rugged limestone terrain, yet it is an invaluable resource for adventure tourism.
This approach not only benefits tourism but also contributes to building sustainable livelihoods for local people. Community tourism has become the main source of income, with homestays and experiential services being responsibly implemented by the people – protecting the environment while preserving cultural identity.
With systematic investment, a long-term development vision, and diverse potential, Lang Son is shaping itself into a "green, adventure, and heritage tourism capital" of Northern Vietnam. If you are looking for a journey close to nature, rich in culture, and full of challenges, Lang Son is the ideal choice – where every step offers a sense of adventure and connects visitors with the simple, rustic rhythm of life in this land.
The development of this type of sport, combined with the advantages of the terrain and geography, has been identified by the local government as a unique, distinctive, and key product.
As one of the first homestay businesses in Huu Lien, Mr. Ngo At Mao - owner of Mao Homestay - initially faced many challenges. However, after several years of operation, the model has shown clear economic benefits, not only for the businesses themselves but also for the wider community. Many agricultural products such as rice, custard apples, and other fruits are selling better, increasing their value and boosting people's income.
Homestays in the commune, including Mr. Mao's family, are based on local traditions to preserve their unique characteristics. Simultaneously, they are improving facilities to meet the increasing demands of tourists. Traditional values such as stilt houses, customs, living habits, and experiential activities like rice planting and tree cultivation are all preserved and effectively utilized.
Experience the thrill!
In recent times, Huu Lien commune in Lang Son province has also become a favorite destination for adventure enthusiasts seeking thrilling experiences through sports such as mountain climbing, attracting a large number of international tourists.
Trekking, camping, and especially mountain climbing have created a high-quality segment of the tourist market.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Thao, working at the Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion Center of Lang Son province, shared: Huu Lien (formerly Huu Thinh commune) possesses a unique sport climbing product, based on the very good quality limestone. VietClimb Company surveyed many localities, including Ninh Binh, but the limestone in other places was not "mature" enough to drill holes for attaching climbing ropes. Since 2016, VietClimb Company has started building and operating sport climbing in Yen Thinh, along with coordinating with local people to provide food, accommodation and technical support to operate the product.
Before submitting its application for the ASEAN Tourism Award, the center launched a communication campaign, built a website, and organized conferences and workshops to promote its products. Last year, the village received the ASEAN award, which serves as a boost to further attract tourists to Yen Thinh. Along with that, leveraging its geographical advantages, Huu Lien commune is actively promoting the development of sports tourism, including mountain climbing and "thrill-seeking" experiences, considering this a unique and distinctive product of the locality compared to other areas…
ASEAN Award: A new boost for Lang Son tourism.
Honored to receive the ASEAN Homestay Award for the Yen Thinh homestay cluster (now Huu Lien commune, Lang Son province), Mr. Ngo At Mao, owner of Mao homestay, said that this is a great source of pride for the community tourism businesses in the locality.
According to Mr. Mao, the first step to achieving and maintaining ASEAN standards is the consensus of the entire family in engaging in tourism. Next is completing all necessary legal documentation as required, ensuring three core criteria: sleeping areas, dining spaces, and hygiene systems. "When all these standards are met, coupled with positive feedback from tourists, the homestay can maintain its status and continue to develop," Mr. Mao shared.
In addition, homestay businesses in Huu Lien commune are striving every day to improve their English and communication skills to better serve tourists and plan for future expansion. Specifically, the Department of Culture and the People's Committee of Lang Son province organize training courses and short-term programs to help people become more professional in community-based tourism. This aims to maintain and promote the ASEAN status and spread the spirit of tourism development in Huu Lien commune.
