Text : Stéphanie Thullen, Photos : Douglas Hainsworth and Pham Thi Duyen Anh
The people of Doi village, all dressed in their best traditional clothes, black with red and white embroidery, gather around the community house waiting for the tour group to arrive. Anxiety and excitement can be seen across their faces as they only recently started receiving tourists in their village. Finally the van drives in, and the group of students files into the community house. Once they have sat down and started eating the traditional snacks and drinks, the head of the village begins to explain about the community and the life and culture of the Katu people. The visitors also get a chance to introduce themselves before the cultural show begins.
Most of the performers have just learned the songs and dances – many Katu people have lost their cultural traditions through assimilation into the majority Kinh culture of Vietnam – you can see their nervous expressions. However, they perform with pride and elegance, and after a few minutes they relax and begin to have fun. Some of the tourists also join in, and sing songs from their own country.
After the show is over, a few of the visitors trek to the nearby Kazan waterfall, led by one of the local people. After a 30 minute scramble over rocks along and across the stream, they are rewarded with a nice, cool swim in the pool at the base of the waterfall. Those that remain behind play games or chat with the local people – language and cultural barriers seem to disappear quickly !
Sunlight is starting to dissipate and the time has come to head back to Hue…
The Doi Village Community Initiative
The city of Hue ranks high on the “must see” list of most visitors to Vietnam. Recognized by UNESCO with two World Cultural Heritage designations, Hue’s main attractions are the Imperial Palace and ancient tombs of Vietnam’s last great dynasty. Now visitors to Hue can enjoy another form of cultural experience at Doi Village, which is located on the edge of Bach Ma National Park, home to people from the Katu ethnic minority group.
The Katu people were once feared as powerful warriors and jungle hunters who even practiced headhunting. Today, they have settled into farming lifestyles, yet still retain many aspects of their colourful culture and understanding of their natural environment, and their headhunting activities remain only as legend. Although quite a new initiative, a visit to Doi village provides a rare opportunity to experience and participate in traditional cultural activities such as singing and dancing, appreciate the fine weaving and local cuisine, and even spend the night in a traditional Katu community house. While in Doi village one should also take time to visit the interesting gardens and beautiful forest and waterfalls nearby. Along with enjoying the warm hospitality of Doi village, visitors will also be contributing to improving the livelihoods of this poor, but charming community.
The Doi Village Community Tourism Initiative is jointly supported by SNV-Netherlands Development Organization, the Provincial Tourism Department of Thua Thien Hue, and the community of Thuong Lo-Kazan. The project is designed to support local development objectives, such enhancing local economic opportunities, revitalizing threatened cultures, and providing a genuine and memorable experience for visitors. The Initiative has helped to create new jobs and income earning opportunities for some of the poorest people in the district, and at the same time provide opportunities to practice once again important cultural traditions of song, dance and handicrafts that were eroding as a result of the pressures of poverty.
SNV and the Hue Department of Tourism have worked closely with local community to support equitable development and a distribution of benefits. A Community Development Fund has been established that secures a portion of local tourism revenues to be utilized for supporting broad-based community development. The result of this community-based development approach is an authentic and high quality tourism experience that is provided through the community with pride and enthusiasm.
Location
Doi Village, Thuong Lo commune is located in Nam Dong District of Thua Thien Hue Province, approximately 60 kms from Hue City on good hard-surface road, and can be reached in about one hour. Doi village is nestled in a scenic mountain valley and adjacent to Bach Ma National Park.
Contact
Tokyo Trading and Tourist Co Ltd.
Mr Truong Dinh Lam, Director
34 Tran Cao Van Street, Hue City, Vietnam
Tel. : +84-54-821467
Fax : +84-54-821466
Email : dongkinh@dng.vnn.vn
Language : Japanese, English, Vietnemese
Other contacts
SPPT Portfolio – SNV Vietnam North Central Office
14 Nguyen Van Cu, Hue City, Vietnam
Tel : +84-54-830192 / 830117
Fax : +84-54-820257
Email : snvnc@snvnc.org.vn
Internet : www.snv.org.vn
Language : English and Vietnemese
Exotissimo
Rhona Taylor, Adventuer Department Manager
26 Tran Nhat Duat Street
Hanoi, Vietnam
Tel. : +84-828-2150
Fax : +84-828-2146
Internet : www.exotissimo.com
Cultural Information
The residents of Doi village-Kazan are of the Katu Ethnic Minority group (sometimes referred to as Co Tu). The Katu were originally the masters of the upper source of the Huong River and practised shifting cultivation in primary forests.
The Katu people have a rich and fascinating culture, with strong traditions and deep understanding and beliefs closely linked to the natural environment. When going into the forest, they hold “a spiritual leaf” for good luck, and they talk to the “floating souls” which they believe live all around them. Even though a patriarchal society, Katu women also have a special position in their communities and are highly respected, as they can more can more easily communicate and integrate with spirits.
In 1976 this ethnic group was resettled in the valleys to cultivate paddy rice. Today most Katu are subsistence farmers and also gather forest products. The majority of Katu live in Nam Dong and A Luoi districts of Thua Thien Hue Province and districts of Hien and Giang of Quang Nam Province. In the whole country, the Katu have a total population of approximately 37,000 people. The village of Doi has 101 households with 506 people.
While life here is challenging, the residents of Doi village-Kazan are proud and enthusiastic in sharing their cultures and welcome visitors. When visiting the community, however, tourists should respect the local culture, dress appropriately and not display affection in public.
Range of activities and services offered
Target : families, groups, individuals
Recommended seasons : Any time, better weather during April - September
Types of tours : one day and overnight trips staying at community house, cultural performance and exchange, local hikes, visiting home gardens.
Recommended Tour
Name of the tour : Katu Culture and Adventure
Length of the trip : 2 day/1 night
Departure dates : on request, but the community will need at least 2 days notice.
Seasons or months to visit the place : you can visit the community at any time of year, however access to Kazan waterfall may be difficult in November & December because of flooding season.
Total cost : Please contact SNV or the tour operator above for current prices.
Included : transportation, accommodation, home garden tour, waterfall canyon tour, meals at the village, and cultural show.
Type of accommodation : Camping-style under mosquito nets at the Community house
Type of services : Home garden tours, waterfall canyon tour, cultural show. Tour can be combined with a trip to Bach Ma National Park for an additional fee.
Group sizes allowed : maximum 15 people
Type of weather : April to September, hot and dry. September to March, cool and often raining in the months of November until January
Specific recommendations : Bring swimsuit, towel, hat and sunglasses.