At the foot of Lung Cu flagpole — the sacred strip of land marking the northernmost point of the Fatherland — there is a small village nestled humbly among the rocky mountainsides and terraced fields: Lo Lo Chai. At first glance, Lo Lo Chai does not try to be ostentatious; it invites with the gentle simplicity of its yellow-walled rammed earth houses, with the solid dry-stone wall surrounding the yard, and with the peaceful pace of life that the Lo Lo people have preserved for centuries. The combination of traditional architecture, rocky plateau landscape and indigenous culture has turned Lo Lo Chai into a true replica of a “fairytale village” on the edge of the border, where time seems to slow down to make way for everyday stories, customs and traditional crafts passed down from generation to generation.

Recognition: A turning point for community tourism:
On October 17, 2025, the United Nations Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) officially honored Lo Lo Chai in the list of “Best Tourist Villages in the World 2025” — a global initiative to honor rural destinations that excel in cultural preservation, nature protection and sustainable tourism development. Being included in this list is not only a noble title, but also a testament to the long-term efforts of the community and local authorities in building tourism based on people, identity and environment.

History, architecture and life: preserving identity amidst change:
Lo Lo Chai has about 120 households, most of them Lo Lo people, a small but rich community. Many houses in the village are from a few decades to more than 200 years old, built using the ancient rammed earth wall technique — compressed earth or stone walls, yin-yang tiled roofs marked by time — bringing an original beauty that is hard to find in modern tourist destinations. Small stone-paved alleys, hand-laid stone fences and front yards planted with small potted plants have created a living space that is both practical and aesthetic, reflecting traditional aesthetic concepts and the close relationship between people and the natural environment. Although tourism has appeared in Lo Lo Chai since around 2011, most residents still maintain farming, cultivating corn, rice and traditional handicrafts, while participating in homestays and small services to increase their income.

The journey to become the “Best Tourist Village”: sustainable strategy and technical support:
The change in Lo Lo Chai did not happen overnight. The tourism development process was carried out carefully, linked to the criteria of governance, innovation and especially sustainable development - an important condition for being selected by UN Tourism. The province and local authorities focused on completing appropriate infrastructure (garbage collection and treatment, clean water, standard toilets), training in reception skills, food hygiene and safety, fire prevention and fighting, and developing regulations to control the number of visitors to avoid overload. In addition, international organizations such as Helvetas (Switzerland) have played the role of technical advisors, supporting training and completing nomination documents, helping the community improve its capacity to manage tourism services in a sustainable manner. These efforts have transformed Lo Lo Chai from a mere tourist attraction into a “green development” community tourism model where economic benefits, cultural preservation and environmental protection are balanced.

Visitor experience: slow living, learning to see and feel:
A night in Lo Lo Chai offers a different experience than a stay in the city or a luxury resort: you can wake up to the mist on the tiled roof, sip hot tea with the host family, listen to stories about customs, watch Lo Lo women embroider brocade patterns or participate in making cakes and brewing traditional wine. The homestays — about 28 out of 37 ancient houses that have been converted into places to welcome guests — not only provide a place to sleep, but also a living cultural classroom, where visitors are invited to participate in local labor activities and festivals, from sowing to harvesting, from dyeing fabric to singing and dancing. These simple experiences, when properly guided, create a deep connection between guests and hosts, and create a sustainable source of income for the community.

Balancing development — challenges and lessons:
There is no denying that the increased interest of tourists poses many challenges: the risk of over-commercialization, the impact on the environment, the pressure on ancient architectural heritage and the risk of social change when economic benefits are not shared equitably. Lo Lo Chai is facing the problem of needing to manage visitors scientifically — limiting waste, controlling new construction that affects the landscape, and ensuring that the benefits from tourism are shared equitably, with local women and youth playing an active role in the tourism value chain. The lessons from Lo Lo Chai can be a guide for other villages: sustainable development is not just a declaration but requires continuous action, monitoring and adjusting policies according to reality.

Broader implications: localizing tourism and preserving culture:
Lo Lo Chai’s recognition by UN Tourism also sends an important message: global tourism is appreciating destinations that know how to preserve their identity and develop community economies. This opens up opportunities for Vietnam to introduce indigenous tourism models rich in human values, while learning how to build profiles, criteria and standards in line with international initiatives. With 5 Vietnamese villages having been honored by UN Tourism in recent years (including Thai Hai, Tan Hoa, Tra Que, Quynh Son, and now Lo Lo Chai), this trend shows the great potential of rural tourism in Vietnam if properly developed.

Tips for visitors — respect and preparation:
If you plan to visit Lo Lo Chai, please bring respect: learn about the local culture before you arrive, choose a homestay managed by the community, avoid buying souvenirs made from environmentally sensitive materials, and listen to instructions on civilized behavior. Prepare for the altitude and weather (Lo Lo Chai is located at about 1,470 m), bring warm clothes if you visit in the cold season, and, best of all, share your experience in a way that promotes sustainable development — for example, volunteer to clean up the village, contribute to the community fund, or sign up for a tour organized by the villagers themselves. These small actions help preserve the village’s pristine beauty for the next generation.

Conclusion: a small brick in the big picture:
Lo Lo Chai’s recognition is not the end — it is a responsible beginning. The international recognition brings opportunities, but it is the community and its planners who will decide which path Lo Lo Chai will take next: to continue to maintain its indigenous way of life, expand sustainable livelihood opportunities and preserve its heritage, or let those values ​​be commercialized. For visitors, Lo Lo Chai is a reminder that the best travel is when it helps us understand how others live, and when each trip becomes an act of preservation, not just consumption.