Having visited Điện Biên during the annual 10th Swallowtail Boat Racing Festival in Mường Lay Town, Phạm Hồng Minh, a tourist from Hà Nam Province, was particularly impressed by the exhilarating experience of paragliding.

“From the take-off point, paragliders soared through the sky, freely admiring the breathtaking mountain ranges, the picturesque Đà River, and the traditional stilt houses of the Thái ethnic people. For me, this was truly a memorable highlight of my trip to Điện Biên,” she emphasized.

Located right next to Pa Phông Bridge, a suspension bridge spanning the Đà River on the only route connecting Huổi Só Commune (Tủa Chùa District) with Huổi Lóng Village, Mrs. Quàng Thị Hoa’s hospitality and dining business in Hamlet 1, Huổi Só Commune, has been affectionately named “Pa Phông Bay Homestay” by visitors.

Despite having only been in operation since August 2023, this homestay has quickly gained popularity thanks to its rustic charm, which vividly recreates the simple life of riverside communities along the Đà River while blending harmoniously with the region’s stunning natural scenery. It has attracted a growing number of tourists, including international visitors, eager to explore and experience local life.

Mrs. Quàng Thị Hoa shared that visitors do not just stay overnight and capture the breathtaking landscapes, but also get to directly engage in local activities such as paddling traditional dugout canoes, fishing on the Đà River, casting shrimp traps, and even preparing their own meals. Thanks to these immersive experiences, her family now welcomes three to four groups of visitors per week on average.

Điện Biên is home to 19 ethnic minority groups, each with its own unique cultural characteristics. Transforming these distinct cultural features into experiential travel products has been a key factor in enhancing the province’s appeal to visitors. This approach is most evident in community-based tourism villages, where engaging activities offer visitors a deeper connection to local traditions.

A prime example is the Nà Sự Community-Based Tourism Village in Chà Nưa commune, Nậm Pồ District. Here, residents both maintain a natural and welcoming environment and prepare traditional Thái ethnic dishes, and at the same time offer unique experiential activities such as traditional weaving, bamboo crafting, and stream fishing, all of which leave lasting impressions on tourists.

Mrs. Lèng Thị Chiên’s household is among the most active participants in the community tourism activities of Nà Sự Village, particularly in providing hands-on weaving experiences for visitors. She held that when guests express interest in experiencing the traditional brocade weaving craft, she enthusiastically guides them through each step of the weaving process. This hands-on experience excites visitors and serves as an effective way to introduce and promote our Thái ethnic culture.

Through experiential tourism, visitors to Điện Biên can now fully immerse themselves in the local culture, customs, and traditions of the region. They can interact with and live alongside native communities, gaining a deeper understanding of their way of life. This not only serves as an effective means of promoting the cultural and natural beauty of Điện Biên but also plays a crucial role in building the province’s tourism brand and solidifying its reputation as a must-visit destination.