In today’s modern rhythm of life, these traditional houses serve as more than just living spaces. They have become powerful cultural landmarks and important assets for tourism development. Mường Lay is home to nine ethnic groups with a population of over 11,000, of which the white Thái make up nearly 70%. Their dense, interconnected villages have helped preserve cultural traditions, particularly the stilt house architecture that has become synonymous with this small town - the smallest in the country by area.

Over time, these homes have taken on new roles beyond shelter. They have become venues for cultural expression and spiritual practices central to white Thái identity, from rice harvest celebrations and wedding ceremonies to folk songs, traditional instruments, and craft making. These traditions are passed down from generation to generation, keeping the culture alive.

To preserve the stilt house space while embracing modern life, Mường Lay has actively promoted the cultural heritage of the white Thái through various media campaigns and cultural events aimed at developing tourism. The town has hosted a range of cultural and sporting festivals, including the traditional swallowtail boat racing festival, the national paragliding championship, and jet ski shows, attracting visitors from across the country. These events have helped spotlight Mường Lay as a destination where nature, culture, and community come together under the iconic roofs of traditional stilt houses.

Trần Mạnh Hà, Head of the Department of culture, science, and information of Mường Lay town noted: “We have the highest density of white Thái stilt houses in Vietnam, over 1,000 in total. To tap into their value for tourism, local authorities have encouraged residents to open homestays and offer tourism services. More than 50 households have registered to operate homestays using traditional stilt houses, with a total capacity of nearly 1,000 guests. In 2024 alone, the town welcomed over 60,000 tourists, including nearly 1,000 international visitors, generating approximately 30 billion VND in tourism revenue.

To elevate its cultural identity and promote the stilt house as a tourism brand, Mường Lay submitted a proposal to the Vietnam record organization  to establish a national record. In May 2025, Mường Lay officially secured the title of “The town with the highest density of traditional stilt houses of the white Thái ethnic group in Vietnam,” with a density of 10.58 houses per square kilometer. This milestone has not only underscored the cultural value of white Thái architecture but also created a compelling media narrative, positioning Mường Lay as “The white Thái stilt house town.”

For many visitors, the experience is unforgettable. Mario, a tourist from Argentina, shared: “This is my first time in Điện Biên, and I’ve planned three days to explore Mường Lay. The landscape is stunning, and the people are incredibly welcoming. Staying in a stilt house homestay, I experienced traditional music, local cuisine, and cultural rituals. What impressed me the most were the rows of stilt houses with their black, red, and brown tones stretching along the riverbanks. From a distance, it looked like a timeless ancient village basking in the morning sun”.

Clearly, integrating cultural heritage,  particularly the unique stilt house architecture of the white Thái, into tourism has unlocked new opportunities for Mường Lay. It has created a path toward sustainable and green tourism development, all while preserving the cultural identity and traditions that make this town truly one of a kind.