Can tourism empower a community while preserving its cultural heritage? In the remote village of Ta Van, the Black Hmong women are navigating the tourism impacts in Vietnam and the Sa Pa region as they find new income streams in response to the rise of tourism.
Learn from my experience as I got first-hand perspective from the local Hmong women during my one-month stay in Ta Van. Together we trekked through fields, talked about their history, and learned their crafts in the homes where they’re created.
Table of Contents
History of Tourism in SaPa
Sa Pa has been a mountain destination of Northern Vietnam for over 100 years, since the occupation of the French in the early 1900s. The City in the Mist” welcomes visitors to its rugged mountain peaks and lush green valleys. Up from 70,000 visitors in 2003, Sa Pa saw 3.2 million tourists in 2019, showing rapid growth.
Most travelers come to trek along terraced rice paddies, or into the clouds up Mount Fansipan, the tallest mountain in Southeast Asia. Sa Pa has been called an amusement park due to the impacts of overtourism, so travelers are expanding into more remote regions like Ta Van, which still have an authentic feel.
However, the impact on the local Black Hmong people in the area is complicated. Meanwhile, the construction of an international airport only shows us that tourism will increase, further contributing to the complex touristic landscape.
Ethnic Groups
A major part of Sa Pa’s charm is from the local ethnic communities. Their vibrant textiles, distinctive styles, and friendly faces are unique to the region. For the past hundreds of years, many ethnic groups have resided here, namely the Hmong people, Red Dao people higher in the mountains, and the Tay, Giay, Kinh, and Muong people.
Sa Pa and the surrounding region demonstrate leadership in tourism, as the local people are actively involved. However, the rapid expansion and reliance on the tourism market have created impacts that empower the communities while eroding cultural integrity.
Positive Impact
Economic Empowerment
Tourism creates diverse job opportunities for locals, resulting in a higher income and improved quality of life. In regions that live off natural cycles of harvest and weather people can find additional work. This improved resilience empowers residents economically.
Around Sa Pa, the ethnic communities can create alternative income streams in addition to traditional agricultural practices. While the men primarily work in agriculture to grow rice, corn, and graze buffalo or horses, the women can seek income streams. Women in the Black Hmong community find work leading treks, selling their vibrant handicrafts, and hosting travelers in their homes.
Education Improvements
One of the best tourism impacts in Vietnam is the increase in education. Consistent engagement with travelers helps educate local people, improve language skills, and operate with exposure to the Western lifestyle.
In Ta Van and Sa Pa, many ethnic women speak fluent English, most of which they’ve picked up in practice talking with travelers. The additional income available often goes to the fee for secondary school, allowing more children to get an education.
Community-Based Tourism Opportunities
Increased tourism in rural areas provides opportunities for local people to lead the experience. The considerations and celebrations of local people fall under community-based tourism (CBT).
As defined by the NGO Fair Tourism:
In Sa Pa and the surrounding area, ethnic communities of Hmong and Red Dao people lead rice field and mountain treks and sell their traditional crafts. Local people can monetize their lifestyle while strengthening their cultural identity through authentic experiences.
Negative Impact
Cultural Erosion & Exploitation
One of the worst tourism impacts in Vietnam is cultural erosion. As local people find ways to benefit from the influx of tourists, the area can lose its sense of authenticity that draws in travelers. Experiences feel more choreographed and the beautiful charm starts to erode. Even worse, local people may be used for commercial gain in an unethical way.
In Sa Pa, it is hard not to be approached by local people in an aggressive way wanting to sell you their traditional handicrafts, guide you on a mountain trek, or take a motorbike taxi somewhere. It is easy to get jaded and question if Sapa is worth it.
Environmental Degradation
The rapid rise in tourism in rural regions like Sa Pa, Vietnam leads to quick expansion for monetary gain. Suddenly, the cozy town in the city is an easily accessed city, with massive hotels and quick excursions. The streets become easily littered with plastic waste, water sources become polluted, and local resources are strained.
For an area that has become overpopulated because of its natural beauty, it is essential to enforce conservation efforts to preserve and protect the land.
Learn about eco-tourism and how you can incorporate it into your travel experiences.
Economic Disparity
With the increase in tourists and the resulting rise in the cost of living, local people can be priced out of necessities. Economic disparity separates the residents capitalizing on the economic opportunities, and then ones continuing with tradition.
In Ta Van, there are distinct lifestyles between most tourists, Vietnamese business owners, and local ethnic groups. While traveling in the region it is important to be conscious of the tourism impacts in Vietnam and how different groups are affected.
Promoting Ethical Tourism in Ta Van
It can be a tricky situation whenever tourism is closely tied to ethnic culture. Businesses can easily favor profit at the expense of the local people, and culture can easily be influenced by outside involvement.
There is a lot of responsibility as a traveler to choose experiences that respect the local people and environment. In Sa Pa, check out the following community-based tour groups.
- Ethos, a Hmong community that provides deep cultural experiences rather than simple sightseeing spots
- Sapa Sisters, offering treks through the picturesque terrain of the region
- Sapa O’Chau, the only social enterprise certified in Vietnam offering authentic experiences with local Hmong people
1. Choose Community-Based Tourism
Look for experiences that prioritize culture with a local-first focus. Support the ethnic people in their land, while respecting the community and environment. Tourism impacts in Vietnam can change with the power of choice.
2. Talk to People
While maintaining respect for privacy, talk to the locals about their experience – the restaurant owner, homestay host, and taxi driver. Everyone has a different view, and it’s important to be curious and open-minded about the ways of life.
3. Don't Support Young Children in Tourism
Sometimes considered a controversial topic is paying kids that engage in business with travelers. Often, the kids that sell items to help pay for school or come to take photos in traditional clothing, are taken out of school by their parents to ‘work’.
Summary - Tourism Impacts in Vietnam, Sa Pa Region
The story of the Black H’Mong women of Ta Van highlights the delicate balance between economic opportunity, cultural preservation, and environmental sustainability. While tourism impacts in Vietnam have brought increased income and opportunities for cultural exchange, it has also created tourism impacts in Vietnam, including cultural commodification and environmental impact.
As tourism rapidly expands, we must acknowledge the ethics and make long-term decisions that build resilience for the area.
Empower the women of Ta Van by experiencing their vibrant culture and supporting their sustainable tourism ventures. Book a trek, purchase a handcrafted textile, or simply learn more about their inspiring journey. Your visit can make a difference.
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