Amid the rapid transformation of modern tourism, two M’nong men - Y Xim Ndu, from Dak Lieng commune, together with Y Sol Sruk, from Lien Son Lak commune - have chosen a distinct path of bringing visitors to villages, forest elephants and resonant sound of gongs, offering experiences such as staying in longhouses as well as engaging with the Central Highlands original values.

A journey to chase clouds and awaken the great forest

Y Xim Ndu focuses on trekking tours along with village-based experiences, using each journey to connect visitors with local culture. After exploring Bim Bip waterfall and Chu Yang Lak mountain range, travellers continue toward M’nong villages at the mountain foot, where they can try pottery-making, visit Yang Tao cocoa gardens, watch brocade weaving, learn basketry, as well as enjoy sunsets over Lak Lake. In the evening, they sample local dishes and Can wine, join gong performances, alongside stay overnight in stilt houses, experiencing the rhythm of village life.

Y Xim Ndu taking international visitors on community-based eco-tourism experiences.

With every group of visitors, not only Y Xim but his entire family becomes “cultural ambassadors”. His mother, warm as well as unassuming, eagerly shares stories about the land together with people of Lak, its farming seasons and festivals, alongside revival of traditional cultural values.

After more than four years working in tourism and local culture, Y Xim has grown professionally while reinforcing community ties. His community-based projects have gradually developed, bringing clear and positive changes.

“Therapy” with elephants, elevating indigenous culture

Sharing approach to tourism, Y Sol said: “Visitors come not for polished presentations, but for real experiences. They follow me to fields, learn how to cook bamboo rice, gather around fire, and listen to daily stories. Everything unfolds naturally, without staging, creating a warm connection between host along with guest”.

From his homestay, Y Sol collaborates with local households to develop experience-based tours such as forest trekking, pottery-making, and exploring M’nong daily life. Notably, his “elephant therapy” model has made a strong impression, allowing visitors to walk alongside elephants, feed them, alongside hear stories about the lives of mahouts closely tied with forest.

Y Sol Sruk seeking to preserve and promote traditional village values.

Y Sol also leverages social media to promote his homeland. His simple videos, capturing moments such as grilling chicken by a stream, pounding wild bitter eggplant, cooking in stilt houses, or sunsets over Elephant Rock Mountain have attracted millions of views, bringing local images closer to visitors.

Ms. Sonja Tijl, a tourist from the Netherlands, shared after her visit in Lien Son Lak commune: “What impressed me most was the people’s sincerity. We were not watching a cultural performance, we were truly living within that culture”.

As Dak Lak province targets 8 million visitors and 16 trillion VND in revenue by 2026, community-based along with eco-tourism models like those of Y Xim and Y Sol are emerging as key growth drivers. Their work is rekindling pride in indigenous culture while inspiring a renewed aspiration across the Central Highlands.

Translated by KHUONG THAO