The cultural space “Sa Pa – Quintessence Convergence” is located right beside the historic Sa Pa Stone Church. (Photo: An Kien)

Right beside the historic Sa Pa Stone Church stand wooden houses, where visitors from around the world and the artisans of the Sa Pa Community Connection Cultural Cooperative gather daily.

Pausing the rhythmic pounding of sticky rice cakes, Mong artisan Giang A Sai wipes sweat from his brow with a smile, ready to share the story of his wooden house with anyone who is interested.

"Every corner of the space here is arranged exactly like a Mong home. There is the main kitchen, a secondary kitchen, the ancestral altar, musical instruments, and traditional costumes. Using this space, I want to let other Mong people know that we must preserve our culture and pass its flame on," Sai told VOV.

Visitors watch a traditional sticky rice cake pounding demonstration in the Mong cultural space. (Photo: An Kien)

Just a few steps away, surrounded by the aroma of Red Dao herbal medicine, Ly Man May is working with ancient manuscripts. She said she believes cultural preservation is stronger when communities join hands.

"I used to try to preserve my ethnic culture all on my own, but I realized it would be difficult to do very much by myself. Now, as part of the Cooperative, I’m trying to connect with other communities so my culture can spread further," said May.

Ly Man May introduces the Dao culture. (Photo: An Kien)

Operating as a public-private partnership, the Cooperative has brought together 32 members and created jobs for 150 local workers transforming indigenous knowledge into high-value tourism experiences.

According to Hoang Thi Vuong, Chairwoman of the Cooperative, this model links heritage with sustainable development, adding that their desire is to build a shared home for ethnic minority communities within the Sa Pa national tourism area and create sustainable livelihoods.

“When cultural values are adapted for tourism, they become products that generate income. This is a practical way to reach Lao Cai’s goal of making heritage an asset and cultural values commodities," said Vuong.

The Tay ethnic people demonstrate flax spinning. (Photo: An Kien)

At the Cooperative, visitors can do more than observe. They can touch and experience heritage firsthand, making incense with the Giay, weaving brocade with the Tay, or crafting beadwork with the Xa Pho. The Cooperative is a gateway to exploring the villages of the Hoang Lien Son mountain range.

"It’s hard to describe the feeling of stepping into such a heritage-rich space. From the costumes to the cultural restorations, everything is very professional," a tourist said.

Another added, "We chanced across the Cooperative while walking past. Inside, we discovered many unique cultural features. The services are great, the people are friendly, the food is delicious, and the prices are affordable."

Foreign tourists take photos with Giay ethnic women. (Photo: An Kien)

The “Sa Pa – Quintessence Convergence” cultural space demonstrates how heritage can be made a powerful engine for local development. It’s helping Sa Pa move toward its goal of welcoming 12.2 million visitors by 2030.