As the Autumn–Winter 2025 tourist season arrives, the locality is launching distinctive activities with the goal of making tourism a spearhead economic sector, creating sustainable livelihoods, and improving local living standards.
Space of cultural convergence
Located within the UNESCO Global Geopark of the Dong Van Karst Plateau, Meo Vac brings together unique geology, majestic landscapes, and diverse cultural traditions. Towering limestone mountains, the meandering Nho Que River, and the spectacular Tu San canyon, known as “the most magnificent wonder,” together create an enchanting panorama.
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Girls in radiant traditional costumes, showcasing the cultural identity of Meo Vac |
Building on this foundation, the locality has developed signature tourism products, such as boat trips on the Nho Que hydropower reservoir to admire the Tu San canyon, experiences at the Pa Vi Ha community cultural village, and lively evenings at the night and weekend markets.
To serve visitors, the local government has revived the Meo Vac Night Market, held every Saturday. Divided into four areas, namely cuisine, handicraft souvenirs, beverages, and a cultural stage, the market is highlighted by folk music and dance performed by artisans and villagers, with opportunities for tourists to join.
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A traditional dance performance of the Lo Lo ethnic group |
According to Thao Minh Son, Standing Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Meo Vac commune, the night market is not only a cultural space, but also a channel to promote agricultural products and handicrafts, helping residents directly participate in tourism and increase income.
If the night market offers new experiences, the Sunday market preserves the age-old culture of the mountainous area. Beyond trade, it is a place for entertainment and community connection. After the harvest, the fair becomes even livelier, with groups of people carrying baskets, riding motorbikes laden with produce, and wearing colorful ethnic attire along winding slopes. Inside, goods are diverse, ranging from agricultural products and brocade to tools and traditional dishes such as Thang co (a traditional dish of the H'mong people in Sapa with horse meat and bones as the main ingredient), men men (steamed minced corn), and five-color sticky rice. For H’mong, Dao, and Tay women, the market is also a place to choose dresses and jewelry, keeping cultural identity alive.
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Meo Vac market, an age-old cultural activity of ethnic groups, attracting crowds of locals and tourists |
The highlight of Meo Vac is the jade-green Nho Que River and the Tu San canyon. Amidst layers of mountains, the river winds like a silk ribbon, majestic yet poetic. Taking a boat ride, visitors can admire the canyon in its entirety, a geological wonder that amazes all who see it. To preserve this pristine beauty, Nho Que 1 Hydropower Joint Stock Company and the Tu San Tourism Service Cooperative have organized environmental clean-ups, waste collection, and signed commitments with boat operators to protect the landscape. On the International Day of the Elderly (October 1, 2025), visitors over 65 received free tickets, a humanitarian gesture spreading gratitude in the community.
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The market is not only a place for trade, but also a meeting point for visitors to experience and capture fond memories |
Equally attractive is the H’mong cultural and community tourism village in Pa Vi Ha hamlet, where traditional earthen-wall houses, festivals, and crafts such as linen weaving and instrument making are preserved. Visitors can wear H’mong costumes, enjoy local dishes, and experience daily life with residents.
Boosting tourism momentum
In the first nine months of 2025, Meo Vac welcomed more than 313,000 visitors, nearly 90% of the annual plan. Attractions such as the Pa Vi Ha H’mong cultural village and the Nho Que hydropower reservoir affirmed their appeal, generating tens of billions of VND in revenue and providing stable jobs for hundreds of locals.
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The jade-green Nho Que River and Tu San canyon amidst towering mountains form a magnificent natural scene that captivates visitors. |
These results show that tourism in the northern locality is gradually becoming a spearhead economic sector, contributing to cultural preservation and higher household income. To maintain growth, the commune is implementing comprehensive measures such as developing signature products, improving service quality, protecting the environment, and promoting its image. Community participation is key, as residents are both creators and beneficiaries of tourism.
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The H’mong cultural and community tourism village in Pa Vi Ha hamlet preserves earthen-wall houses in a lush green setting, attracting travelers. |
According to Pham Van Tu, Secretary of the Meo Vạc Commune Party Committee, the locality will harmonize four factors of environmental protection, economic growth, cultural–social preservation, and better living standards. At the same time, it focuses on effective management of tourist sites, digital transformation, and developing the night market and Sunday market into signature tourism products that link communities with businesses.
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Meo Vac shining from the traditional cultural values of the karst plateau |
With its potential and clear orientation, Meo Vac, where majestic nature and vibrant culture meet, is now shining with new vitality. From the jade-green Nho Que River and the spectacular Tu San canyon to colorful fairs and peaceful villages, all create a vivid, captivating picture that makes visitors longing to return.
Translated by Tran Hoai