Tay woman strives to put Lam Thuong on the tourism map

  •  Tuesday, May 20, 2025

YBO - Born and raised in Lam Thuong Commune, Luc Yen District, Hoang Thi Xoi has become the first person to introduce tourism to her remote hometown. Drawing from the knowledge she gained during her studies at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in Hanoi, she boldly returned to her village to develop community-based tourism.

Hoang Thi Xoi, the young proprietor of Xoi Farmstay, poses for a photograph with international guests.
Hoang Thi Xoi, the young proprietor of Xoi Farmstay, poses for a photograph with international guests.

After graduating in 2014, Xoi worked as a tour guide for a travel company, leading visitors across Vietnam. During this time, she also learned additional skills, including hotel booking, tour sales, and tour operations. Her experience revealed that her native land — with its peaceful Tay ethnic villages nestled among rice fields and corn hills, gentle streams, and the melancholic khap coi folk songs — held a unique charm. This rustic, unspoiled, and culturally rich beauty, highly appealing especially to foreign tourists, was lying dormant and needed to be awakened. Determined, Xoi committed herself to putting her homeland on the tourism map through the distinct cultural identity of the Tay people.

"I chose to return to my hometown to develop tourism because our land is beautiful and full of potential,” said Hoang Thi Xoi. "Why not share that beauty with visitors near and far? From the beginning, I targeted international tourists because I truly want to bring Tay culture to the world.”

With this vision, she established her own homestay, "Xoi Farmstay", in Tong Cai Hamlet at the end of 2017. Her concept emphasizes cultural immersion, where guests stay and interact with the host family. She focused on promoting "slow travel", allowing visitors to explore and experience local life at a relaxed pace.

Xoi Farmstay was thoughtfully designed to highlight the unique and vibrant culture of the Tay people. From fences to auxiliary structures, tables, chairs, and lighting — all were crafted from local bamboo and wood. Xoi also curated a variety of experiences for guests, such as mountain trekking, cycling, farming, gardening, fishing, wearing traditional attire, cooking, and learning about Tay customs and traditions.

Thanks to her savvy use of social media platforms and smartphone applications, she connected with travel agencies and created immersive tours that soon attracted international visitors to Xoi Farmstay.

Today, scenes of foreign tourists strolling or biking through the village, bathing in streams, working the soil, or paddling bamboo rafts have become familiar to locals in Lam Thuong. Their presence has also sparked a growing awareness among villagers of the value of their cultural and natural heritage, leading to collective efforts to preserve and promote their identity.

"I love this place because it’s so beautiful and peaceful,” said Megan, a visitor from Scotland. "The people are kind, welcoming, and friendly. I’ve cooked, worn traditional Tay clothes — which made me feel more beautiful — and captured these special moments in photos.”

Motivated by deep love for her native land, Hoang Thi Xoi has turned her dream into reality. Her "Xoi Farmstay" and the serene beauty of Lam Thuong have become a beloved destination and a memorable highlight in the journey to explore the gemstone land of Luc Yen — especially for international travelers.

Thanh Chi 

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