Muong Long highland community tourism applies digital transformation, adapting to the technology era
Currently, visitors to community tourism sites in Muong Long commune will be guided to locations and services by QR codes. Similarly, in many other localities, community tourism sites are also spread thanks to the application of digital technology and social networks.
Attach QR code for directions
At the end of June 2025, after a trip to community tourism spots in Muong Long commune, Ms. Tran Thuy Lam brought with her quite new information from the villages at the gate of heaven in Nghe An. Ms. Tran Thuy Lam is from Dien Chau commune. During this summer vacation, after her children finished their exams, Ms. Lam and her family and some friends had a trip to experience tourism in the communes of Western Nghe An.
This is not the first time Ms. Lam has visited tourist destinations in the highlands, including Muong Long, but this trip still brought her many new things.
“Previously, when coming to Muong Long, tourists had to ask the locals for places to go, or contact homestay owners, food and service establishments in advance, and ask them to pick us up or show us the way so we could get to the right address. But now, when we get to Muong Long Heaven Gate, right at the check-in point, there is a billboard with very clear information about the destination, along with QR codes with directions. Just scan it on your phone and you can get to the right place. It's very interesting and convenient,” said Ms. Tran Thuy Lam.
In addition to updating the signboards for tourists' convenience, the system of destinations and roads in Muong Long has also been renovated, built more spacious and clean. Plum gardens as well as homestays serving rest and food here are increasingly professional.
In particular, the local people are also the owners of the tourism services here, being both the boss/owner, the employee, and the farmer directly working and producing, along with their friendliness and hospitality, giving tourists a feeling of comfort, naturalness, and ease of blending into village life.
Ms. Lau Y Denh, owner of Y Denh homestay in Muong Long 2 village, Muong Long commune, is an example. In 2021, she and her family renovated their house and registered to establish a homestay to serve tourists. Here, in addition to providing accommodation for tourists, Ms. Denh, her husband and children also directly grow vegetables, raise chickens and pigs, and prepare meals imbued with the identity of the Mong people. All homestays in Muong Long follow this method.
From an initial homestay established by Muong Long 1 Village Chief Vu Tong Po, up to now, Muong Long commune has had 6 homestays along with a fairly modern service point called Muong Long Eco. In addition, since the homestay service, the Muong Long Agricultural and Community Tourism Cooperative was also established and the Mong Pa Tau brocade embroidery craft village was formed in Muong Long 1 village. This is also the first craft village of the Mong people in Nghe An.
Moving towards professional tourism
Ms. Le Thi Van - a member of Muong Long Agricultural and Community Tourism Cooperative - has been involved in community tourism since the early days. Thanks to the support of all levels, sectors and organizations, she and many local households have gradually become more professional in tourism.
On April 24, 2025, the People's Committee of Nghe An province issued Decision No. 1152, allowing the cooperative to use the place name Muong Long to register the collective trademark "Muong Long Community Tourism", and at the same time confirm the corresponding geographical area on the map.
On July 10, 2025, the Provincial People's Committee issued a Decision to recognize "Muong Long Community Tourism Site", creating more motivation for people to boldly and confidently upgrade tourism and service professions in the highlands of Muong Long.
Mr. Vu Ba Ly - Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Muong Long commune said that Muong Long people not only know how to grow vegetables, raise chickens, pigs, embroider brocade, but also know how to rely on the strengths, unique customs, habits as well as landscapes, natural conditions in Muong Long commune to enrich services and experiences of community tourism. In addition, there is also support from the Global Environment Fund in terms of funding and experts to train and guide people to develop community tourism based on local strengths.
Most recently, the Global Environment Facility's small projects program has funded the installation of signs, promotion, and introduction of Muong Long destinations. These signs are installed in convenient locations for tourists to quickly obtain information and look up destinations, easily spreading widely on information systems thanks to the application of digital technology.
Nghe An has many attractive eco-community tourism spots, especially in mountainous districts such as Muong Long, Na Ngoi, Chau Tien, Tam Quang...Tourism practices like those in Muong Long and Hung Chan communes have initially shown to be on the right track and have had certain effectiveness, contributing to the development of tour products and tourist routes typical of each locality and key tourist areas and destinations, diversifying products and enhancing the tourism image of Nghe An province./.
