Local Vietnam invested in and developed Ha Giang Aya Lodge. The project's founding team includes Phung Nhung and Phung Duong from Local Vietnam, and Marnick Schoonderwoerd from the Netherlands. They possess extensive experience in northern mountainous tourism. Schoonderwoerd has spent over a decade in Vietnam researching and developing tourism guide materials, focusing on less-traveled areas in Ha Giang.

Ha Giang Aya Lodge is located on a hillside in Sung Trai commune. *Photo: Local Vietnam*

A notable aspect of the project is its strong connection to local livelihoods. The management team stated that most staff members are residents from Sung Trai and neighboring villages. This workforce receives on-site vocational training, including language courses, to equip them with professional skills for long-term development. Beyond operating the lodge, the management also participates in community initiatives, such as organizing English classes at local schools and contributing to infrastructure improvement projects.

Local Vietnam's English class for local residents. *Photo: Local Vietnam*

Diverging from popular destinations along the "Ha Giang Loop", the project directly integrates with the living space of a H'Mong village. Here, the daily life and work rhythms of local residents continue alongside tourism activities. A representative from the founding unit stated the accommodation was planned to minimize disruption to the general landscape. This allows visitors to access authentic cultural life, rather than a staged environment for sightseeing. Near the project area, traditional weekly markets are regularly maintained, serving as a hub for trade and cultural exchange among various ethnic minority groups in the region.

"While prioritizing cultural identity, we also ensure international accommodation standards," Phung Nhung stated. "Architect Tung Le designed the structures, favoring natural materials and drawing inspiration from traditional local houses to help the lodge blend naturally into the mountainous landscape." Guest rooms feature heating for winter and air conditioning for summer, along with modern amenities. The restaurant area is designed with an open balcony, offering panoramic views of the surrounding limestone mountain range and valley.

Sharing their development direction, a representative from Local Vietnam's founding team explained their goal is not to build an isolated or separate resort. "This model aims to create an accommodation space where tourism activities provide practical economic benefits, directly support the community, and contribute to preserving traditional values," the group's representative clarified. The project implementers hope that, amidst the continuous growth of visitors to Ha Giang, this initiative will serve as an example demonstrating how economic development can go hand-in-hand with community responsibility.

Thanh Thu