Khuoi Khon Community Tourism – Slow Living with the Black Lo Lo People Amid the Cloud-Capped Mountains of Bao Lac
On a mountainside over 1,000 meters high in Bao Lac, more than 60 stilt houses with yin-yang tiled roofs sit nestled amid the clouds. This is Khuoi Khon, a village of the Black Lo Lo people, one of Vietnam’s smallest ethnic minorities. Here, the locals haven’t changed their way of life to cater to visitors. They simply open their doors so you can step in and share in their peaceful days.
Where Is Khuoi Khon?
Khuoi Khon used to belong to Kim Cuc Commune (formerly part of Bao Lac), and now falls under Hung Dao Commune following the 2025 administrative restructuring. The village is about 16 km from Bao Lac town center.
The route getting there is quite pleasant: follow National Highway 34 from Bao Lac toward Cao Bang City, and at around kilometer 12, turn onto a gently sloping road for 4 km to reach the village. The road up has been paved, making the journey easy.
A Village of the Black Lo Lo People
Khuoi Khon is home to around 60 Black Lo Lo households. Nestled on a mountainside at an elevation of over 1,000 meters, the village enjoys a cool, fresh climate, surrounded by terraced fields and pristine forested mountains.
What makes Khuoi Khon special is that Lo Lo culture has been preserved almost intact. Scenes that might seem rare or unfamiliar elsewhere are still part of everyday life in the village.
Lo Lo Stilt Houses – Unique Architecture
The stilt houses of the Lo Lo people here are truly distinctive. Each house is divided into 3 levels, stands 7–8 meters high, extends 5–9 rows of columns deep, spans 7 bays wide, and is topped with a four-sided yin-yang tiled roof.
As you step inside, take a moment to notice the layout of the space and the everyday household items. Every detail reflects the life and beliefs of the Lo Lo people, passed down through generations.
What to Experience in Khuoi Khon
Stay at a Homestay and Live with a Lo Lo Family
Khuoi Khon currently has 6 households running homestays, welcoming around 1,500 visitors in 2025, most of them international travelers. Hosts say their guests love joining in the family’s daily activities.
Sleeping in a stilt house, sharing meals with your hosts, waking up to clouds drifting through the village – this is the true “slow living” experience that Khuoi Khon offers.
Watch Lo Lo Folk Songs and Dances
The villagers have formed a performance troupe to showcase traditional Lo Lo folk songs and dances for visitors. The community house serves both as a gathering place for locals and a performance stage, with an exhibition area displaying ancient bronze drums.
Lo Lo Brocade
In addition to making brocade products for their own use, locals also sell them as souvenirs for visitors. Lo Lo brocade, with its intricate patterns and distinctive colors, makes a meaningful memento to bring home from your trip.
Admire a Panoramic View from Above
Visitors to Khuoi Khon all want to climb up to “Howling Wind Peak,” a tall rocky outcrop behind the village, to take in a panoramic view. Late afternoon is the most beautiful time, when sunlight slants across the yin-yang tiled roofs and clouds begin to roll in.
From a Poor Village to a Tourism Icon
Khuoi Khon’s story is quite remarkable. Cao Bang Province carried out the project “Preserving and Promoting Lo Lo Ethnic Culture in Conjunction with Developing the Khuoi Khon Community Tourism Site,” with a total budget of 5 billion VND. As a result, many traditional houses have been repaired, and new restrooms have been built to serve visitors.
A respected elder in the village, Mr. Chi Viet Hai, took the lead in encouraging villagers to build a new rural lifestyle while preserving their cultural identity for tourism. Seeing the positive results from his own family, many other households began offering homestay accommodation as well. Today, Khuoi Khon no longer has any poor households.
Every night you stay and every piece of jade you buy is a contribution to this story of shared livelihoods.
Results of Bao Lac’s Efforts
Khuoi Khon is an ideal stop along the western Cao Bang route:
- Van An Pagoda: an ancient Le-dynasty pagoda on the banks of the Gam River.
- Lung Pan Architecture Forest: a towering lush green architecture path in Huy Giap Commune.
Tips for Visiting Khuoi Khon
- Book accommodation in advance , especially if traveling in a group, as only a limited number of households host guests.
- Respect local customs: ask permission before photographing villagers, especially the elderly and children. Do not enter household worship areas without permission.
- Bring warm clothing: the village sits at an altitude of over 1,000m, so mornings and evenings can be quite cold.
- Slow down and embrace village life: this is not a tourist resort, so come with the mindset of being a guest in someone’s home.
- Protect the landscape: do not litter, and support local livelihoods by buying products made by villagers.
Khuoi Khon has no amusement parks or luxury services. What this village offers are simple things: a stilt house amid the clouds, a home-cooked meal with a local family, a Lo Lo dance, and the smiles of the highland people. Visiting Khuoi Khon is not just about traveling – it’s about living for a few days within one of Vietnam’s unique cultures.
