{"id":682,"date":"2025-11-10T15:34:21","date_gmt":"2025-11-10T06:34:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.asean.or.jp\/sustainable-tourism\/?p=682"},"modified":"2026-01-16T16:46:00","modified_gmt":"2026-01-16T07:46:00","slug":"tan-hoa-adaptive-tourisms-floating-future","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.asean.or.jp\/sustainable-tourism\/cat_vietnam\/tan-hoa-adaptive-tourisms-floating-future\/","title":{"rendered":"T\u00e2n Ho\u00e1 : adaptive tourism\u2019s floating future\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Are communities in disaster-prone areas destined to be left behind? Not if they follow the example of T\u00e2n Ho\u00e1 Village in Qu\u1ea3ng Tri Province, Vi\u1ec7t Nam. Once known as the \u201cflood hub\u201d of the region, the village has emerged as a model of resilience by embracing the rhythms of nature and responding with innovation. Today, it stands at the forefront of climate-adaptive tourism, offering lessons not only in survival, but in sustainable development. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Project :<\/td>Weather-Adaptive Community Tourism Model in T\u00e2n Ho\u00e1<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
Place :<\/td>T\u00e2n Ho\u00e1 Village, Kim Phu Commune, Qu\u1ea3ng Tri Province, Vi\u1ec7t Nam <\/td><\/tr>
Initiative :<\/td>A climate-resilient tourism model that transforms flood-prone conditions into a unique visitor experience while improving local livelihoods. By embracing natural challenges, the initiative showcases how disaster-prone communities can lead in sustainable tourism development. <\/td><\/tr>
Actors :<\/td>Oxalis Adventure, T\u00e2n Ho\u00e1 villagers <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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A disadvantage becomes a defining characteristic<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The village once battled nature, then found a new way to make use of it.<\/strong>
Photo: Courtesy of Oxalis Adventure<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

For generations, T\u00e2n Ho\u00e1 has endured severe annual flooding, and severe events in 2010 and 2020 left the entire village submerged. The community\u2019s ingenious response was to create floating houses. These homes are supported by drums fixed beneath the structure, allowing them to rise with floodwater. Anchored by poles at each corner, the houses remain securely in place and resist drifting. This practical solution not only ensures safety during floods but has become a defining feature of T\u00e2n Ho\u00e1. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Inspired by the community\u2019s inherent adaptability\u2014and moved by the devastating impact of flooding on his hometown area\u2014\u200b\u200bNguyen Chau A returned to his native place in 2011 to establish Oxalis Adventure. He launched world-class \u200btrekking and caving tours to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and nearby Tu Lan Cave System\u200b, but his broader vision was to harness local resilience in the service of sustainable tourism. He introduced the pioneering concept of \u201cweather-adaptive tourism\u201d, enabling tourism to continue year-round, even during the flood season. On high-water days, visitors can paddle through the village and witness the calm rhythm of daily life. \u200b\u200bTu Lan Lodge, Oxalis\u2019s main accommodation in T\u00e2n Hoa, is elevated above historical flood levels, ensuring guest safety and comfort in all weather conditions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A popular activity during flood season is paddling through the partially submerged village. <\/strong>
Photo : Courtesy of Oxalis Adventure <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Building resilience, fostering community : the Oxalis partnership<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Some guests stay in floating houses.<\/strong>
Photo: Courtesy of Oxalis Adventures <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cSafety, conservation, and community involvement are our core values,\u201d says H\u2019Anetta Bu\u00f4n Ya, Operation Manager of Tan Hoa Office, Oxalis Adventure. \u201cActing on these values, we have been helping local people, and also helping guests understand the significance of what we offer.\u201d 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Complementing this, Local Culinary Experiences are offered through a network of 10 households. Local women receive professional training from Oxalis to prepare traditional dishes to a consistent standard for tourists. A rotation system ensures that economic benefits are fairly distributed among participating families. This arrangement allows guests to enjoy meals in a local home, deepening cultural connection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Beyond accommodation and dining, T\u00e2n Ho\u00e1 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Empowering livelihoods: a paradigm shift<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Nguyen Chau A, CEO of Oxalis Adventure, is a wellspring of creative ideas. <\/strong>
Photos: Courtesy of Oxalis Adventures <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Tu Lan Adventure Race<\/strong>
Photos: Courtesy of Oxalis Adventures \u3000<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The impact on T\u00e2n Ho\u00e1\u2019s community has been transformative. Tourism has created over 130 permanent jobs, including porters, chefs, safety assistants, housekeepers, and tour guides. The village\u2019s poverty rate has plummeted from a staggering 85.7% in 2010 to just 2.6% in 2024. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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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\u2019 livelihoods have been transformed from illegal jungle hunting to jungle protection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Quality, safety, and sustainability<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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In people’s homes, visitors can enjoy genuine local culture.<\/strong>
Photo: Courtesy of Oxalis Adventures<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Photo: Courtesy of Oxalis Adventures <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cultural heritage is actively protected and revitalised. One example is the traditional folk song H\u00f2 Thu\u1ed1c C\u00e1<\/em>\u200b, which has been brought back into community life and is now performed for visitors. Says Truong Th\u1ecb H\u01b0\u01a1ng, a business partner and chef with a gift for singing, \u201cI\u2019m glad to introduce our local culture, including food and folk song, to visitors from around the world\u201d.\u200b <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The long-term goal is not simply to attract more visitors, but to foster a resilient, thriving community. Oxalis is committed to preserving T\u00e2n Ho\u00e1\u2019s rustic beauty and traditional charm, ensuring that growth never comes at the cost of authenticity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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