Born in 1993, Nguyen Kim Phuong, a Tay woman in Khuoi Ky village in Cao Bang province, is an active entrepreneur, known for her courage to think and act boldly and her significant contributions to social work. Last year, Phuong was honored as one of the 10 Outstanding Young Citizens of Cao Bang Province.
Nguyen Kim Phuong (Photo: Ngoc Anh/ VOV)
Phuong used to run a small business with unstable income. Then she opened a homestay for tourists. In 2018, the Youth Union of Cao Bang province organized a trip for young people to study the homestay models in Ba Be lake in Bac Kan province and the Mai Chau tourist area in Hoa Binh province. After returning from this trip, Phuong established a Tay homestay, combining guest accommodations with direct experience of the local ethnic culture.
“I began building my homestay in 2019 and opened it to guests in 2022. After observing community-based tourism models in other areas, I realized that my locality had a potential for tourism development. In particular, Kuoi Ky village’s unique stilt houses made of stone with roofs of yin-yang tiles are something no other place has. My homestay blends modern and traditional elements,” said Phuong.
To attract guests, Phuong offers unique cultural experiences like performances of Then singing, the Tinh musical instrument, and bamboo pole dancing. “We also organize mountain trekking tours and let our guests plant rice, gather firewood, and participate in other daily work activities of the host family.”
Phuong’s homestay is a well-built structure, addressing some of the drawbacks of the traditional Tay stilt house. The house still has stone walls and yin-yang tiles on the roof, but to fix the roof’s vulnerability to storms and hail, Phuong installed two layers of metal roofing beneath the yin-yang tiles. The traditional Tay stilt house is built low to the ground, but Phuong’s homestay has a higher ceiling to make it easier for her guests to move around. Thanks to its thoughtful design and range of services, Phuong’s “Tay Homestay Community Tourism” project has received numerous awards.
“In 2022, I participated in a start-up competition for rural youth organized by the Cao Bang provincial Youth Union. I developed a homestay model that combines community-based tourism with traditional Tay crafts like weaving and hat making, and I won the first prize. In 2023, I joined the Central Rural Youth Startup Program, where my homestay project won third prize nationally. I was recognized by the Cao Bang Tourism Association for my contributions to the province's tourism industry,” said Phuong.
Khuoi Ky village has 100 Tay households. 17 of them operate homestays. Phuong’s homestay attracts lots of tourists and has become a role model in Khuoi Ky. She is an active participant in local cultural movements, social work, and mass mobilization work. Phuong has been honored for her achievements in youth activities.
Ms. Hoang Thi Doi, who works for Phuong, said Phuong is dynamic and creative in her work and active in social work. “She is also a kind and caring person. She has created jobs for many local people. I’ve worked at her homestay for nearly a year, earning about 250 USD per month.”
Eager to learn and determined to overcome challenges, Nguyen Kim Phuong has been successful with her homestay business. She wants to continue contributing to preserving the Tay culture and creating jobs for people in her village.
