“Safety, conservation, and community involvement are our core values,” says H’Anetta Buôn Ya, Operation Manager of Tan Hoa Office, Oxalis Adventure. “Acting on these values, we have been helping local people, and also helping guests understand the significance of what we offer.” The company recognised that for tourism to bring meaningful benefits to the village, it needed to involve the community directly. This sparked a fundamental shift: local families became active business partners, not just employees. 

One cornerstone of this partnership is Floating Homestays. Oxalis invested in renovating 10 floating houses into comfortable guest accommodation, each house equipped with modern facilities. The company manages marketing, reservations, and tax payments, ensuring that homeowners receive a stable income without needing sales or administrative expertise. 

Beyond accommodation and dining, Tân Hoá offers Diversified Activities, which are designed to enrich the visitor experience and encourage longer stays. The activities include countryside cycling tours to local farms, exploration walks in the ancient Lim forest, and the renowned caving and trekking adventures. 

Empowering livelihoods: a paradigm shift 

The impact on Tân Hoá’s community has been transformative. Tourism has created over 130 permanent jobs, including porters, chefs, safety assistants, housekeepers, and tour guides. The village’s poverty rate has plummeted from a staggering 85.7% in 2010 to just 2.6% in 2024. 

Oxalis is strongly committed to career development for its local staff. Many porters with limited formal education have gone on to study tourism and become professional tour guides. Villagers’ livelihoods have been transformed from illegal jungle hunting to jungle protection. 

One notable initiative is the Tu Lan Adventure Race, a triathlon organised by Oxalis since 2015. This non-profit event raises funds through participant fees and sponsorships, primarily to build floating houses for disadvantaged families. Over six years, nearly 200 floating houses have been sponsored through this race. 

Quality, safety, and sustainability

The Oxalis commitment goes beyond economic development to include cultural preservation and environmental sustainability. All operations are guided by principles of safety and conservation, with careful attention to minimising environmental impact. 

Cultural heritage is actively protected and revitalised. One example is the traditional folk song Hò Thuốc Cá​, which has been brought back into community life and is now performed for visitors. Says Truong Thị Hương, a business partner and chef with a gift for singing, “I’m glad to introduce our local culture, including food and folk song, to visitors from around the world”.​ 

The long-term goal is not simply to attract more visitors, but to foster a resilient, thriving community. Oxalis is committed to preserving Tân Hoá’s rustic beauty and traditional charm, ensuring that growth never comes at the cost of authenticity.