The Homestay Development in Sapa

A visit to the local tour operators in Hanoi revealed that the current tourism development in Sapa is lacking clear structure. Sapa is facing an increase in tourist visitations, but with the lack of facilities and amenities, the region is slowly reaching its capacity and becoming overcrowded. The tour operators in Hanoi have been seeing the rapidly increasing demand for homestays, but as many homes do not meet the criteria of the tour operators, they are not considered for their clients. Simultaneously, some villagers are not motivated to upgrade their homes, because they had yet to witness the influx of tourists in the village themselves; this creates a problematic catch-22 situation.

Meeting with Mr. Hoang Nguyen, HandSpan Travel IndoChina

Mr. Hoang Nguyen, the Vice Director of HandSpan Travel Indochina shared that his experiences working with the local women of Sapa have been positive- but not without its own set of challenges. He has the drive to work directly with the locals there, because it helped him create authentic experiences for his clients, and because it also helped enrich the lives of the local community. According to Mr. Hoang, he felt that enforcing modern living standards and infrastructure in the homes would challenge the truly authentic village experience. To quote him, “the soul of the homestay is important”.  

Late last summer, our CBT Vietnam project linked the Hmong women of Lao Chai with the tour operators of Hanoi, by bringing a small group of women to the big city. One of the women's meetings was with HandSpan Travel Indochina. When they met with Mr. Hoang’s company, the representatives liked the women's proposal and took the opportunity to form a business partnership with them. Unfortunately, he still struggles to meet the demand of his clients, because there wasn’t enough developed homestays. He felt that HandSpan simply required more support from larger tour operators to affect real change. In fact, he has already tried calling the big players to encourage them to work with the locals more, and use local services (like staying at homestays and eating traditional home cooked meals). He believes that those companies can and should assist with the development because they possess a larger client base and expertise.

In the village of TaPhin, Lao Cai, Vietnam

Looking into the future, the homestay owners still need some support from companies to develop the structures and systems needed for a tourist destination to thrive. If both parties can come together and form a synergetic relationship, then the goal can be accomplished and the needs of both parties can be met.

Read More

Ripple effect of tourism dollars in the Sapa communities

Community development and community support is the foundation of the CBT project. What started out as an idea to help get tourists to stay the night in a village has quickly developed into a trickle down effect that economically impacts more than just the homestay operators.

The project helps maintain critical capacity building momentum so that the benefits of increased tourist visitation are distributed widely in the villages and throughout the region.

During our most recent project trip this past August, the CBT team travelled to Tavan for lunch. This village is one of the original villages the CBT Vietnam project worked with from 2002 - 2007. Our host, Ms. Xoi, talked  about the economic impacts our lunch had on the village. 

Each portion of our meal was connected to the village through two or more people. The rippling of our economic activities from the homestay lunch was beneficial to many within the local / regional community. Her are just some of the examples Ms. Xoi highlighted: 

• A Giay woman down the street made the tofu that we ate, while another woman grew the soy beans to produce the tofu in Ta Van as well;
• The rice wine she bought from her sister, who does not own a homestay, but supplies many business owners with traditional rice wine for their guests;
• Another Giay person had butchered the meat we were eating which came from a family that raises pigs. Many of the pigs in the neighbourhood at the product of another family that studs out the male pigs throughout the village to all of the  people who have female pigs which creates an entire animal husbandry industry.
• Ms. Xoi grows most of her own vegetables but whatever she is unable to pick from her garden she purchase in the village at one of the family-owned markets. 

The UNWTO advocates for tourism's connectivity. “As so many different activities and inputs make up the tourism product, which has a large and diversified supply chain, spending by tourists can benefit a wide range of sectors such as agriculture, handicrafts, transport, and other services. Additional rounds of spending by those people whose income is supported by tourism spread the economic benefit further (the multiplier effect)” (STEP.UNWTO.ORG).

Prior to the enhanced development of homestays and community tourism products the guides and tour companies trucked in the food for their guests. Our research suggested that the economic impacts to the community were minimal. Now with increased number homestays and the development of local services, there is an increased need to have things like food markets in town to support the local community. Each time we visit the villages we notice that the the community has found ways to develop the local supply chain to benefit the local community. 

To learn more about the CBT Vietnam project please visit our website. 

Read More

Spotlight on the Black H’mong

When thinking of the people residing in Vietnam your mind will likely start to conjure up images of the Vietnamese people. But, did you know that there are actually 54 minority groups that also call Vietnam their home?

Each of these ethnic minorities has their own unique culture and history that are wildly different from each other and from that of the Vietnamese. One of those ethnic minority groups is called the Black H’mong and they have a fascinating history and culture.

Black Hmong woman tending to her indigo-dyed hemp fabric - photo by Caitlin Rowe 

The exact origin of the Black H’mong people is still unknown to this day. This is partially because most of this culture’s history is passed down orally, making it challenging to trace. Some believed that they may have come from Europe, due to stories of ancestors having blue eyes and blonde hair. This is actually an occurrence that, even though rare, still happens today. However, through evidence surrounding similar linguistic patterns, it is believed that they spent at least 2,000 years in China up until approximately 300 years ago. The Black H’mong left China after rebelling against Chinese imperialism during the Ming and Qing dynasties. They found safety in areas of Northern Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. 

Ms. May, owner of a homestay in Lao Chai - photo by Caitlin Rowe

In Sapa, the Black H’mong are the most populous group out of all of the ethnic minorities, with its people living in villages such as Lao Chai and Ta Phin. Many have relied on farming and agriculture as their main occupation; however, with the increase of tourists in the Sapa region, they now use tourism as a source of income. The relationship between tourists and the Black H’mong has been strained at times, primarily as a result of cultural conflict. Now armed with a better understanding of the tourist mindset and more conscious international visitors, the relationship has greatly improved. In today’s society, the Black H’mong people are happy to welcome tourists into their homestays and its people are learning how to use tourism to their advantage. 

References:

Lacharbey, Juliette. (n.d.). The Hmong People of North Vietnam. Scribol. Retrieved from http://scribol.com/anthropology-and-history/the-hmong-people-of-north-vietnam

Cha, Dia. (2004). Field Guide to Hmong Culture. Madison Children’s Museum. Retrived from 

http://csumc.wisc.edu/cmct/HmongTour/howwedidit/HMONG_FIELD_GUIDE_WEB.pdf

Read More

The stars of the CBT Vietnam project

For nearly a decade I have been fortunate to be a part of a community based tourism project through Capilano University. I have worked on this transformational project in Vietnam in varying capacities and have many people to thank.

Sapa's inspiring terraced landscape.

In northern Vietnam there is a (in)famous tourist destination known as Sapa. Inspiring terraced landscape, cool climate and colourful culture is easily accessible via overnight train. For one hundred years visitors have frequented Sapa. Tourism is here to stay.

The ‘CBT Vietnam’ project emerged from a trip to Sapa by a group from Hanoi Open University (Vietnam), Capilano University(Canada) and North Island College (Canada). Dr. Geoffrey Bird led an initial five-year project supported by the Association of Canadian Community Colleges. The project focused on skills-based training in the villages of Tavan and Taphin. Volunteer students and faculty from partner schools developed and delivered training primarily to local women. The goal was to create new opportunities for employment, develop a more sustainable form of tourism, and increase quality of life.

I was a student volunteer on the project who was changed by the experience. In fact, I took a leave from my studies and moved to Vietnam to travel and work in tourism. I was inspired.

Speaking with Khu in Lao Chai.

Two years after the project had completed I visited Taphin village and some of the locals. We discussed the idea of another project. Planning, entrepreneurship, network building, collective marketing and mutually beneficial partnerships were themes that would eventually lead to a series of projects generously supported by the PATA Foundation. The projects continue to bring Vietnamese and Canadian volunteer students together in the delivery of community tourism learning programs.

Some of the stars: Taryn, Stephanie, Jase and Kyle.

My current role as a project lead, and the successes it brings, is the product of the hard work of many. I am thankful for those who have continued to selflessly put forth their time and effort. Instructors and Deans, Stephanie Wells, Jen Reilly, Kim McLeod, Dr. Chris Bottrill, Casey Dorin, Ms. Ngoc Anh and Ms. Que have been instrumental in making these projects happen. The countless students that have been on the CBT Vietnam project are the heroes and heroines. Our stars. In the field they have excelled. They have been the energy and the true grit of the project. 

In a training workshop. Ms. Ly Man May is pictured second from the left. 

But the people that deserve the most appreciation are those from the villages. They have inspired us all. Tearful goodbyes when we depart from a project trip are testament that we are more than partners in the experience. This community development project is not an ‘us’ and ‘them’ case study. People like Ms. Ly Man May in Taphin, Ms. Soi in Tavan and Ms. Mai in Lao Chai are some of the individuals that deserve all the credit. These resilient, thoughtful women have trusted and welcomed us into their homes. 

When you go to Sapa you might have the opportunity to stay with some of these women. Learn from them like we have, and when you leave, be sure to thank them in their language.

Read More