Story
In 2010, Mr. Doan Van Dung, the Chairman of Indochina Junk, made a brief inspection trip to Yen Duc village while returning from Hanoi to Halong Bay. During his visit, he was deeply impressed by the authentic beauty of this quintessential Vietnamese village. He engaged with the welcoming residents, immersing himself in their daily lives and gaining insights into the area’s rich cultural heritage and historical significance.
Upon returning to his office, Mr. Dung was inspired to develop a tourism initiative for Yen Duc village. He promptly began collaborating with local authorities, presenting his vision to the villagers, and meticulously planning the project’s implementation to ensure its success and benefit to the community.
The purpose of this community-based tourism project has been identified:
- Offer authentic cultural experiences to international visitors
- Preserve the local heritage and traditional way of life
- Support sustainable community development through responsible tourism
Since 2011, Yen Duc Village has been operating a community-based tourism project, initially launching its first product: a day trip featuring a folk song performance. This short excursion was designed for tourists returning from Halong Bay, offering them an opportunity to explore the village and enjoy authentic homemade Vietnamese cuisine.
In subsequent years, the project expanded its offerings, introducing additional experiences such as water puppet shows and overnight tours. A significant milestone came in 2012 with the construction of the authentic Viet House. This traditional-style rural Vietnamese house, complete with a spacious, comfortable room and surrounded by gardens, rice fields, and the local community, transformed the Yen Duc village tour into a more immersive and extended experience for visitors.
By 2015, the project further enhanced its appeal by introducing a homestay service. Tourists could now fully immerse themselves in village life, living alongside locals, participating in farming activities, sharing meals, and gaining an intimate understanding of rural Vietnamese culture. The homestay experience provides a genuine and intimate window into the daily life of the village community.
Mission
- Support local people develop a sustainable and efficient agricultural economy.
- Build a clean environment, beautiful village scenery, and charming Vietnamese agricultural identity.
- Develop a friendly and responsible community.
- Establish Yen Duc village as the focus of tourism in Quang Ninh province, Vietnam.
What we achieved
- 400 villagers have been trained in community-based tourism and understand the positive effect of tourism on the community
- 50 villagers have directly worked on the project and get paid more than 3.000.000 VND/ month.
- 2 homestays with 7 rooms have been developed in the village
- 1 English class for children in the village operates annually
- 20 Scholarship given to local students every year
- Thousands of international visitors have visited the village and appreciate the local life and culture here.
- Many television broadcasting channels and newspapers wrote about the village and shared with the world about the destination.
- Awareness of local authority in Quang Ninh province towards community-based tourism.
- Winner of “ TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence” in 3 consecutive years ( 2013, 2014, 2015).
RECYCLED GARDEN – COMMUNITY-BASED TOURISM
The “Yen Duc Waste Resurrection Tour” contributes to community development and local community through delightful experiences: recycling daily life items and crafting activities using recycled materials, a unique tea party featuring locally sourced organic produce, and the opportunity to create and enjoy traditional local specialties.
- Dedicated to community-based tourism in Yen Duc Village:
- Supporting the development of a sustainable and efficient agricultural economy for local people.
- Creating a clean environment, enhancing village scenery, and preserving the charming Vietnamese agricultural identity.
- Fostering a friendly and responsible community.
- Positioning Yen Duc Village as a leading tourism destination in Quang Ninh province, Vietnam.
