From a flood-prone area that was inundated every rainy season, Tan Hoa - a remote village in Minh Hoa district, Quang Binh province - has suddenly become a shining star on the world map of sustainable tourism.

Strolling along the village roads of Tan Hoa, travelers will find themselves amidst a tranquil countryside that possesses a rare and picturesque beauty. There, you'll find red tiled roofs, small, neat gardens, and lush green wooden fences adorned with the pink and red hues of blooming flowers.

Occasionally, in the opposite direction, you'll encounter a farmer with a gentle smile, or children playing tag, carefree cycling along the village road, and looking at visitors with a mixture of shyness and curious delight. These are the simple moments that captivate any visitor seeking a moment to slow down after the hustle and bustle of city life. And that's how these ordinary things have earned Tan Hoa the title of "World's Best Tourist Village."

In fact, Tan Hoa village – though its name may be unfamiliar to most tourists – has appeared in famous Vietnamese and international films. Nestled in a valley surrounded by limestone mountains and endless fields, this remote village boasts picturesque natural scenery, especially the breathtaking Tu Lan cave system. Tan Hoa has served as a filming location for blockbuster movies, most notably Jordan Vogt-Roberts' hit "Kong: Skull Island".

Film appearances didn't really spread the fame of this tranquil village; it wasn't until the emergence of climate-adaptive tourism that both the lives of the locals and the status of Tan Hoa changed.

Not many people know that before being honored as the World's Best Tourist Village, Tan Hoa was once a "flood-prone" area of ​​Quang Binh province. This small village, located downstream of the Rao Nan River, was submerged in water every flood season in the late months of the year, with water levels potentially rising up to 12 meters at peak.

Since the historic flood of 2010, the people of Tan Hoa commune have learned from experience and received support from the government in building flood-resistant houses. Initially, floating houses were created to ensure the safety of people, and households with the means could build additional small houses to raise pigs and chickens during the flood season. As the water rises, the floating houses move with it, allowing the people of Tan Hoa to proactively cope with the floods instead of fleeing as they did in the past.

From the flood-prone heartland of Quang Binh, Tan Hoa has taken another step towards transformation. In early 2023, a weather-adaptive tourism model began to be implemented in Tan Hoa. Local authorities and the tourism industry joined forces to transform Tan Hoa into a key tourism center in the Northwest of Quang Binh. Villagers who previously spent their lives working in the forest, farming, and raising livestock began learning about tourism.

Thanks to government support, the local people partnered with Oxalis – an adventure tourism company based in Phong Nha (Quang Binh province) – and began welcoming tourists to stay in their own flood-resistant houses. Ten families each received an investment of 150 million VND to create homestays and receive training in basic skills such as cleaning rooms and cooking, ensuring that their traditions are preserved while catering to tourists' tastes. The simple floating houses have been transformed into charming homestays, and the home-cooked meals of the people of Tan Hoa are enhanced by guests from all over the world joining in the cooking and enjoying traditional specialties.

This tourism model has proven effective and has been recognized by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) as a rural tourism model that respects and preserves natural and cultural values, while promoting community-based tourism and making a clear commitment to sustainable development.

Despite starting its tourism journey with modest numbers, this remote village in central Vietnam has surpassed 260 other tourist villages from 60 countries around the world to win the "World's Best Tourist Village" award in 2023 from the UNWTO. What was most highly praised was its green and sustainable tourism development model and tourism products adapted to weather and climate change.

A must-do experience during your trip to Tan Hoa is sleeping in a floating homestay. From the front, few people would think that these flood-resistant houses look particularly different; they even resemble stilt houses in the highlands. Small but mighty, these homestays can be raised and lowered with the floodwaters during the rainy season. About 20 empty barrels underneath help the house float, while three or four fixed stakes, over ten meters high, act as anchors around it.

Inside, the house was fully equipped like a hotel, from beds and mattresses to electric lights and bathrooms with water heaters. In the tranquil atmosphere of the countryside at night, amidst the occasional croaking of frogs and crickets, there was a strange gurgling sound. This was the sound of expanding barrels beneath.

And if you visit Tan Hoa right when the flood season is about to arrive, who knows, you might wake up tomorrow to find yourself surrounded by water! That's the thrill of weather-adaptive travel. Don't worry, the house is truly sturdy and safe for you to enjoy your vacation right in the middle of the flood season.

Another interesting experience is immersing yourself in the daily life of the local people. Tan Hoa village has about 3,300 inhabitants, all of whom are Nguồn people. The Nguồn are a Viet-Muong community comprising approximately 35,000 people in Minh Hoa district, Quang Binh province. They are not officially recognized as an ethnic group, but they have their own distinctive language, culture, and rich folk arts.

A meal in Tan Hoa with the Nguon people is both familiar and unique, using common ingredients but with very different preparation methods and names. The daily meals served to guests by the Nguon people include "com boi," "thau lang" (sweet potato leaves), "oc tuc" (snails), "ca lao" (a type of eggplant), etc. "Com boi" is made from corn, cassava, or rice soaked in boiling water, drained, and then pounded into a paste. This mixture is then kneaded with water, fluffed, and steamed. If you wish, you can even help the host prepare the meal, giving you the opportunity to chat and learn more about the local life, culture, and cuisine.

If you want to explore the village, there are plenty of options. Exploring the Tu Lan cave system, trekking through the forest, swimming, and riding ATVs through ancient teak forests are all adventurous experiences suitable for all ages.

Tan Hoa is located about 70 km from Phong Nha and 130 km from the center of Dong Hoi City. From Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, or other provinces and cities, if arriving at Dong Hoi Airport, tourists need to travel an additional 100 km southwest along the Ho Chi Minh Highway for more than 2 hours and 30 minutes to reach Tan Hoa. This route passes through Phong Nha town, Da Deo Pass, and Khe Gat Airport – a historical site from the resistance war against the US.

Starting from the center of Dong Hoi City, tourists can take National Highway 1A for about 130 km, passing through the districts of Bo Trach, Quang Trach, Tuyen Hoa to Minh Hoa district, where they will reach Tan Hoa village.