Experience local life at Tan Hoa Rural Homestay

Tan Hoa was honored as one of the World’s Best Tourism Villages in 2023. It is famous not only for its wild, majestic scenery but also for its unique "weather-adaptive" tourism. A highlight of this model is the Rural Homestay - comfortable rooms built right on the local people's floating houses.

Managed by Tu Lan Lodge, these homestays offer a perfect mix of professional service and authentic local culture. If you join a cave expedition with Oxalis Adventure to Tu Lan or Hang Tien, you may also have the chance to stay here.

Tan Hoa Rural Homestay - More than just a place to stay

Tan Hoa Rural Homestay offers a unique stay that combines comfort, local culture, and nature. Built using a traditional floating house design, the homestays allow guests to experience local life in a truly authentic way. This weather-adaptive model also makes Tan Hoa a great destination in all seasons. During the rainy months, the houses rise safely with the water level, ensuring a secure and comfortable stay. Although the houses look simple from the outside, the interiors are surprisingly spacious, modern, and fully equipped.

Aerial view of Tan Hoa village.

Currently, there are 10 Rural Homestays located within local family gardens, giving guests a close connection to village life. Each homestay has a floor area of 26 to 40 square meters and is designed to comfortably accommodate 1 to 3 guests. Surrounded by green rice fields and majestic limestone mountains, the homestays offer fresh country air and a peaceful atmosphere, making them the perfect place to slow down and escape the stress of city life.

Managed by Tu Lan Lodge, the Rural Homestays provide professional service and a smooth, convenient experience for visitors. At the same time, local hosts are always friendly and ready to support guests, offering helpful guidance and personal care throughout the stay. This balance between professional management and warm local hospitality helps create a truly memorable experience in Tan Hoa village.

There are many simple and meaningful ways to enjoy the peaceful rhythm of village life:

- Slow travel: Rent a bicycle at Tu Lan Lodge or take a relaxing walk through the countryside. Guests who join adventure tours to the Tu Lan cave system or Hang Tien can also enjoy a guided cycling tour, riding through the village and watching buffalo grazing on wide, open fields.

- Adventure awaits: Discover the spectacular landscapes of the Tu Lan cave system with Tu Lan Cave Expedition Tour

- Taste the culture: End your day with a home-cooked dinner at a local family’s house. Sharing a meal and listening to their stories is one of the most heartfelt ways to experience the warmth and culture of the Tan Hoa community.

A warm and simple dinner in Tan Hoa village.

Tan Hoa Rural Homestay: Growing Together with the Local Community

Tan Hoa, formerly part of Quang Binh Province and now part of Quang Tri Province, was once known for being an area frequently affected by severe flooding. Located in a closed valley and surrounded by high mountains, floodwaters rise quickly each year and are slow to flow away. This has caused significant property damage and posed a risk to local people’s lives. Even so, the people of Tan Hoa chose to stay, holding on to their homeland where generations have lived.

From this reality, local people created floating rafts, which were later developed into floating houses with barrel systems installed underneath. When the water level rises, the houses float up with the flood, helping to protect both lives and belongings during the rainy season.

When the Tu Lan cave system was opened for tourism, Oxalis came to Tan Hoa and recognized this unique way of life. The company then worked closely with the local community to gradually develop Tan Hoa into a sustainable tourism destination. To meet the accommodation needs of visitors joining Tu Lan and Hang Tien cave tours, as well as other travelers, the Rural Homestay model was created. This is a weather-adaptive form of accommodation designed to suit local conditions.

In addition to developing tourism, Oxalis also provided direct support to local families. The company fully funded the construction of 10 homestays, with an investment of about 150 million VND for each house. This was a non-refundable contribution given directly to participating households.

Oxalis also offered professional training in hospitality services and room management. These programs helped local hosts improve their skills, provide better service, and build a stable, long-term income.

A weather-adaptive homestay model.

This partnership has successfully turned a flood-prone area into a beloved destination for community-based tourism. The biggest milestone came in 2023, when Tan Hoa was officially honored by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) as one of the "Best Tourism Villages in the World."

Today, Tan Hoa Rural Homestay is more than just a place to stay; it is a symbol of how shared efforts can create a brighter, sustainable future.

How Rural Homestays are changing lives in Tan Hoa

Rural Homestay has opened a new door for the people of Tan Hoa. In this partnership, Oxalis handles marketing and bringing guests from around the world to the village, while local families take care of the hosting and daily service. To ensure every guest has a great stay, each family receives professional hospitality training before opening their doors.

On average, after paying for electricity and water, families earn between 7 to 10 million VND per month. But the long-term vision is even bigger: we want the villagers to eventually manage the entire project themselves as a local cooperative, becoming true masters of their own tourism business.

For the people here, this income is life-changing. Mr. Truong Xuan Hung, owner of Hung Lien Homestay, shares: "Since we started welcoming guests, our lives have completely changed. Our income is stable now, and we no longer worry about the future. Most importantly, I can now afford to send my children to school for a proper education."

Hung Lien Homestay in Tan Hoa Village.

A stay at Tan Hoa Rural Homestay is more than just a place to sleep; it is a unique cultural experience. By staying in these creative, flood-proof houses, you get to:

- Live like a local: Immerse yourself in the daily rhythm of the village.

- Support the community: Know that your visit directly contributes to the sustainable development of this resilient land.

- Discover hidden beauty: Explore the stunning nature and warm hearts of the people in Vietnam’s famous "flood center."

If you are looking for a travel experience that is truly different, and if you want your journey to support a sustainable future for a local community, Tan Hoa is the perfect destination for you.

Come for the scenery, stay for the stories, and leave knowing you’ve made a difference.