Swiss support builds community library in Tuyen Quang

A delegation from the Swiss Embassy in Vietnam, led by Mr. Thomas Gass, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Swiss Confederation to Vietnam, visited and experienced community tourism in Ban Khun (Khun village), Bang Lang commune.

Also attending were Ms. Ramla Khalidi, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Vietnam, members of the Swiss Embassy in Vietnam, leaders of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Provincial Tourism Association and representatives of several local tourism and travel businesses.

Ban Khun is a community rich in traditional cultural identity, converging the unique values of the Tay, Nung, Dao and La Chi ethnic groups. With the companionship and support of the Swiss Government, UNDP, and the ST4SD Project, many sustainable community tourism development initiatives have been implemented, contributing to improving local livelihoods, preserving traditional culture and protecting natural landscapes.

In the context of the whole country striving to realize the criteria of the National Target Program on new rural development, developing grassroots cultural and educational institutions plays a particularly important role. Putting a community library into operation in this highland area has practical significance in fulfilling the cultural and informational criteria of the new rural program. This knowledge space not only serves the reading and learning needs of students and youth but also provides a place for locals to look up agricultural technical information and learn about sustainable tourism models. Consequently, residents gain more tools to improve their livelihoods, accelerating the process of building an intellectual and civilized new rural area that retains its rich identity.

As part of the visit, the Swiss Embassy delegation cycled to explore the scenery in Khun village, Bang Lang commune. The image of the cycling group weaving through traditional stilt houses sends a strong message about developing green, environmentally friendly tourism.

Here, Khun village residents introduced the making process and meaning of the Tay people's traditional "hai me" conical hat to the Swiss delegation. This exquisite handicraft is a testament to the harmony between humans and nature.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Thomas Gass, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Swiss Confederation to Vietnam, thanked the local authorities and Ban Khun residents for their warm welcome, while highly appreciating the traditional cultural values and natural landscapes preserved in Ban Khun. He emphasized that community tourism not only creates a destination for tourists but also provides a space for locals to conserve culture, maintain traditional lifestyles, and develop sustainable livelihoods. Values such as weaving, traditional dancing and singing and stilt house architecture are crucial foundations for Ban Khun to develop community tourism tied to preserving local cultural identity.

Concluding the series of activities, the delegation witnessed the launch of the Bang Lang Commune Tourism Branch and the signing of a cooperation agreement on community tourism development between the Commune People's Committee and the Provincial Tourism Association. By sharing co-creation results, discussing future orientations and directly participating in local cultural and culinary experiences, the visit not only strengthened cooperative relations but also opened bright prospects, creating solid momentum for Ban Khun on the journey of building a new rural area combined with sustainable eco-tourism.