In Khuoi Ky stone village, nestled in Dam Thuy commune, Trung Khanh district, Cao Bang province, tourists are flocking to experience a unique homestay that offers a blend of traditional charm and modern comforts.
Just over 80km from Cao Bang city center and about 2km from Ban Gioc waterfall, this ancient village of the Tay people has become a notable attraction for both domestic and international tourists.
The local inhabitants have ingeniously transformed their centuries-old stilt houses, built entirely of stone and roofed with traditional yin-yang tiles, into inviting homestays.
One such pioneer in tourism is Ms. Ly Thi Diep, a Tay ethnic woman who began welcoming guests to her family's home in 2016. Her success has led to the development of a second homestay featuring five bungalows, eight private rooms, and a stilt house accommodating 25-30 guests.
Ms. Diep’s homestay is particularly unique due to its location, with the back of the property leaning against a towering limestone mountain and the front facing the gentle Ky stream.
Capitalizing on this distinctive setting, Ms. Diep created the "cave room," a guest room nestled against a rocky cliff. One side of the room features an undulating limestone cliff, while the other sides are built of stone, offering windows that overlook the common yard and garden. Equipped with modern amenities, including a private bathroom and air conditioning, this room costs 1 million VND per night.
"This room is very popular with international guests because of its uniqueness, novelty, and unlike anyone else's. They come here to experience what it's like to sleep in a cave," Ms. Diep shared.
The homestay has garnered a 4.5/5 star rating on Google and is well-connected to popular booking platforms globally. Ms. Diep's homestay is frequently fully booked on weekends.
Another local homestay owner, Ms. Nguyen Kim Phuong, noted that to attract more tourists, residents are enriching and diversifying their services. Visitors can engage in activities such as planting, harvesting, picking vegetables, catching fish and shrimp, cooking, soaking feet in herbs, dancing, making campfires, and participating in ethnic art performances.
Sporting activities are also available, including hiking to conquer high mountains, exploring Cao Bang by motorbike, and rowing boats on the scenic Quay Son river.
Khuoi Ky village, named after the cool stream at its entrance, features stone-paved walls and paths. Built around the 16th century, the village consists of 14 traditional stone houses spread over an area of about 10,000m2, with 100% of the population being Tay people.
In 2008, Khuoi Ky was recognized as a "Typical Traditional Cultural Village of Ethnic Minorities" by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.
In 2018, the village was chosen as a community tourism experience point in the "Indigenous Cultural Experience in the Wonderland" tour of Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark. Efforts by Trung Khanh district and Cao Bang province have significantly promoted Khuoi Ky stone village to both domestic and international tourists.
In 2023, Trung Khanh welcomed nearly 1 million visitors, with Khuoi Ky stone village attracting about 5,000 visitors, over 20% of whom were international tourists.
Cao Bang is renowned for its stunning natural landscapes and rich cultural heritage. Leveraging these resources, the province is striving to establish itself as a tourism hub in the northern midland and mountainous region.
In 2024, Cao Bang has planned 65 tasks focused on tourism planning and investment, promotion and advertising, product and service development, digital transformation in tourism, and the preservation of cultural values linked to tourism.
Through these efforts, Cao Bang aims to enhance its tourism appeal and attract more investment, ensuring that visitors can enjoy the region's beauty and culture while contributing to its sustainable development.
Vietnamnet.vn
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