There is a place where “the streams remain clear and the forests remain ancient”

The road to Lan Nong is not for those in a hurry. From the provincial center, the car gradually turns towards the layered limestone mountain ranges, through narrow valleys and winding curves hugging the mountain slopes. The further you go, the narrower the road becomes, until the phone signal is intermittent and the sound of engines fades away, you know you're leaving the hustle and bustle of the city and entering the peaceful space of the UNESCO Global Geopark Lang Son.

With no noisy shops or high-rise hotels, mornings in Lan Nong begin with the crowing of roosters. In the late afternoon, barefoot children run along the dirt paths, adults carry firewood and lead buffaloes and cows back to their pens, the smoke from the cooking fires mingling with the scent of freshly cooked corn. Everything unfolds naturally, as it has for hundreds of years. The pace of life is so slow that city dwellers find it strange, but it is precisely this that preserves the place’s rare, original character.

Recently, Lan Nong has been surveyed by the local authorities, with a focus on developing community-based tourism based on the “Net Zero” model, meaning minimizing environmental impact, protecting the landscape, avoiding concrete construction and centering on Tay and Nung cultures. Simply put, it’s about developing tourism without turning residential areas into commercial zones. The houses remain traditional stilt houses, the streams are still clear and the forests are still old-growth. Locals were guided in making handicrafts from readily available materials; how to incorporate cultural elements into the decoration of stilt houses; and how to create distinctive souvenirs bearing the mark of the UNESCO Global Geopark Lang Son…

So what do tourists do here? The answer is simple: live like the Tay and Nung people. In Lan Nong, the tourist experience is as simple as the daily life of the locals. In the morning, follow the host family to the fields to plant corn and dig cassava. At noon, the kitchen staff boiled a free-range chicken, roasted a plate of freshly roasted peanuts and cooked a bowl of wild vegetable soup. In the afternoon, hike through the forest, listen to the rustling of the wind in the bamboo canopy and explore the remains of paleontological fossils, the “stone pages” that tell stories from millions of years ago in Lang Son Geopark. In the evening, sitting by the fire, listening to the old people tell stories in the warmth of human connection.

Visitors can also try on traditional local clothing or simply sit on the porch, watching the clouds drift lazily across the mountainside. The approach to tourism in Lan Nong doesn’t focus on the number of visitors, but rather on quality experiences and maintaining sustainable livelihoods for the local people.

Tourism here therefore takes on a different meaning. It’s not about crowding into festivals, nor is it about “checking in” and showing off photos on social media. It was a trip to truly let the body breathe. Early in the morning, a thin mist enveloped the valley, sunlight filtered through the leaves, and the entire space felt cleansed. The air was so cold and clean that every breath carried the scent of the forest mountains. Some people jokingly say that after spending a few days at Lan Nong, they naturally eat better, sleep better and look at their phones less. It sounds like a joke, but it’s actually true…

Therefore, this place isn't for everyone. Those who are used to comfort, need strong Wi-Fi and air-conditioned rooms might find it inconvenient. Lan Nong village doesn't try to please the masses. The village quietly maintains its way of life and welcomes those who truly seek tranquility. For those under stress, families wanting their children to connect with nature or simply anyone wanting to escape the city for a few days, Lan Nong is a worthwhile option.

Between the increasingly bustling tourist landscape, Lan Nong stands like a quiet pause. Small, but enough to make people stop and look deeper into themselves. When spring arrives in Lan Nong, the forests are lush green and the fields are beginning their new planting season. The air is fresh and the coolness is just right, making one want to take a deep breath. It’s a kind of “natural vitamin” that the city can hardly provide. Coming here isn't about shopping or entertainment, but about rejuvenating your energy. A trip where, upon returning, you find your heart rate slowing and your mind clearer.

Ultimately, tourism doesn’t always need to be crowded. Sometimes, a small village, a few houses and the genuine hospitality of its people are enough. Try turning onto Cai Kinh, heading towards Lan Nong and you might discover that what you need isn’t a bustling place, but rather finding your true self between the pure tranquility of the forest mountains./.