Young man connects tourists to culture in Vietnam’s Đồng Văn

Sùng Mạnh Hùng, a young man from Đồng Văn, a town in Tuyên Quang province, Vietnam, is attracting tourists by sharing the traditional dances and music of the Mông people.

Three years ago, Đồng Văn lacked community activities and visitors mainly passed through. Hùng began posting videos of Mông dances online, gaining international attention and drawing more tourists eager to experience the local culture.

Each evening, Hùng hosts gatherings where visitors join him in traditional dances and songs at the town’s community center. He adapts the dances to make them accessible for everyone, hoping visitors will experience more than just the area’s landscapes and national monuments. Hùng’s videos reached international audiences, with tourists from around the world contacting him to say they planned to visit Đồng Văn because of his efforts.

The increased tourism has changed Đồng Văn, with visitors staying longer and spending more time exploring. Phạm Đức Nam, the Chairman of the Đồng Văn People’s Committee, noted Hùng’s significant impact on attracting international tourists. As of recently, tourists from 124 countries have visited Đồng Văn, and they are now helping to spread the word about the town.

Hùng also leads a team of ten local, mostly minority, youth who help with the performances and receive support to continue their education.