HHT - Without makeup or elaborate clothes, just a gentle smile and sincerity, Ms. Thong - a Tay ethnic woman in Ban Lien (Bac Ha district, Lao Cai province) suddenly became a hot name on social networks after appearing in the program "Haha Family".

A character that "causes a storm" from simplicity

In the Haha Family program , the group of artists stopped at Ban Lien (Bac Ha district, Lao Cai province) - a village that still retains the rustic, peaceful features of the Northwest mountains. Here, the television audience met for the first time Ms. Thong - a middle-aged woman with a kind face, a gentle voice and a friendly, approachable demeanor.

Photo: Haha Family Fanpage
Ms. Thong - a mountain woman is simply herself: leading the group of tourists home, cooking a simple meal with wild vegetables and stream fish, then telling everyday stories by the fire. It is that naturalness that makes her leave a strong impression on the audience.

Photo: Haha Family Fanpage
Immediately after the show aired, the phrase “ Ms. Thong Ban Lien ” quickly became a hotly searched keyword. Posts and clips featuring this woman attracted hundreds of thousands of interactions. Many viewers commented: “I wish I could eat at Ms. Thong’s house one day”, “Ms. Thong is so cute, exactly the type of Northwestern woman I dream of meeting”...


Homestay " sold out", small village suddenly becomes tourist hotspot

From a small homestay with only a few rooms for adventurous guests, Ms. Thong's house is now fully booked until September. Many groups of guests from Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and even foreign tourists, come to Ban Lien just to "sleep in the stilt house and eat with Ms. Thong".

Scenery at Pine Homestay Ban Lien of Ms. Thong's family. Photo: Haha Family Show
Not holding the title of “influencer”, not having attended any tourism school, Ms. Thong - a simple Tay woman has become an “ambassador” bringing the image of the Northwest closer to everyone. From the smoky kitchen to the small room by the stream, she has told millions of people the beautiful story of a peaceful land with her own heart. Among the myriad of bustling destinations, perhaps what makes tourists remember forever is a hot meal by the fire, and a simple saying from a woman named Thong: “Here there is nothing but affection, but whoever comes here wants to come back".
 
Photo: Pine Homestay Fanpage
Her homestay has been fully booked for 3 consecutive months, contributing to making Ban Lien the most sought-after destination in the Northwest this summer.
Not only Ms. Thong’s homestay , many other households in the village have also started to renovate their houses to welcome tourists. Small tours organized by the locals such as taking tourists to pick tea, make banh troi, and soak their feet in medicinal leaves have begun to flourish.
 
Opportunities for community tourism development

Ms. Thong’s story is not only a temporary phenomenon but also opens up a positive perspective on the potential of community tourism. In the context of many tourist areas becoming commercialized, the authenticity and intimacy that visitors feel at Ban Lien is exactly what the tourism industry is lacking and developing.


Local authorities and some travel agencies have quickly joined hands to support people in improving service quality, while ensuring the preservation of national cultural identity. Ban Lien - a place that was once little known to many people now has the opportunity to become a bright spot on the Vietnamese tourism map.