Hang Kia Commune in Mai Chau district, Hoa Binh Provice is emerging as a captivating destination for both domestic and international tourists. This transformation is marked by the efforts of Mrs. Sung Y Mua, the first Mong woman to boldly venture into community-based tourism while preserving and promoting traditional cultural values.

Mrs. Sung Y Mua (wearing Mong attire, standing in the middle in the photo) with tourists experiencing activities at the Mong Cultural Space

In a conversation with us, Mrs. Sung Y Mua shared: “The Mong people in Hang Kia are diligent and resilient, always striving to overcome challenges and improve their lives. I realized that Hang Kia has great potential for tourism development, with its cool climate, fresh air, and rich cultural heritage. The traditional crafts of the Mong people, such as traditional clothing, embroidery, weaving, batik, indigo dyeing, handmade paper, knife forging, basket weaving, and corn liquor brewing, are still maintained and preserved in daily life. Therefore, from 2011 to 2013, my family boldly invested in building a homestay for guests. Over time, we expanded our facilities to accommodate more visitors, increasing our income and contributing to local tourism development.

Mrs. Sung Y Mua guiding tourists in making traditional Mong paper

With a desire to preserve Mong cultural identity and use culture as a driving force to attract tourists, Mrs.Sung Y Mua established a Mong cultural space exhibition. She tirelessly searched for and collected old and antique items from the Mong people, handed down through generations in the villages of Hang Kia, Pa Co, and nearby areas, to display in the Mong cultural space covering over 2,000 square meters in Hang Kia Commune. Until now, Mrs. Sung Y Mua has collected over 300 artifacts, primarily from the Mong people. Notably, some artifacts over 200 years old are displayed, reflecting the origins and history of the Mong people.

To develop the cultural space and ensure its effective operation, Mrs. Sung Y Mua organizes two weekly sessions where artisans teach traditional crafts, dance, and singing to the local children. This initiative not only motivates the children in their studies but also helps them learn about Mong culture. Additionally, the cultural space features a library for the local children, currently serving three groups of 25 children each, aged 8 to 15, who regularly come to read. The cultural space also hosts frequent cultural exchange activities, showcasing the rich Mong cultural heritage and delighting visitors. The menu at homestay Y Mua includes distinctive Mong dishes such as grilled chicken, stir-fried bamboo shoots, mustard greens, and pumpkin leaves, offering guests a unique and enticing culinary experience.

The guest room space at Y Mua homestay is elegantly designed,

 reflecting Mong cultural identity

With the increasing number of tourists visiting Hang Kia for sightseeing, relaxation, and cultural experiences, Mrs. Sung Y Mua has invested in additional bungalows to meet the growing demand. Currently, the Homestay Y Mua system can accommodate around 120 guests. Homestay Y Mua connects with many other homestays in the area, including routes like Hang Kia – Ban Buoc, Hang Kia - Mai Hich, and Hang Kia - Mai Chau. It also connects with homestays in neighboring provinces such as Hang Kia – Pu Luong, Hang Kia - Ninh Binh, Hang Kia - Hua Tat, Van Ho, Hang Kia – Ngoc Chien, and Hang Kia - Nghia Lo, Yen Bai. Each year, thousands of tourists from both within and outside the country visit Homestay Y Mua. It has become a familiar destination for many visitors from Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Ha Noi, and other countries like France, Germany, Spain, the UK, and Australia, etc.