Born in Hòa Bình province (now Phú Thọ province), Bùi Ngọc Thanh (born 1992, of the Mường ethnic group, K2 hamlet) has been attached to the land of Vĩnh Sơn since the age of five.
Thanh is recognized as one of the outstanding ethnic minority youths in economic development, pioneering the integration of agriculture with experiential tourism, generating an annual income of around 200 million VND.
Between 2018 and 2019, Thanh studied strawberry cultivation techniques both within and outside the province. The sloping red soil, which retains water poorly, posed many challenges for farming, but he refused to give up.
After nearly a year of persistent experimentation, the first strawberry beds finally bore sweet fruit. At the end of 2022, he boldly borrowed 100 million VND to invest in an automatic irrigation system.
Currently, his 2-hectare farm is divided into several zones, with the majority dedicated to strawberries. The remaining area is used to grow temperate vegetables and fruits such as raspberries, langsat, wild myrtle, and various trees and flowers to diversify the space and enhance the visitor experience.
Thanh is also propagating honey sweet potatoes, with plans to produce dried sweet potato products next year. From this, the idea for “Vĩnh Sơn Green Village—A Green Village, Countless Experiences” was born, aiming to develop community-based tourism linked to traditional culture.
Thanh has developed tours to Tà Kơn Citadel and Dơi Waterfall, organizing activities rich in ethnic identity. His family's small house has been renovated into a homestay, allowing guests to stay overnight, participate in farming, and enjoy fresh local produce.
Not only is Thanh a successful entrepreneur, but he is also a “key connector” in the local youth movement. He established a community tourism youth group with 10 core members, guiding visitors, performing traditional arts, and introducing local products. He also partnered with two households to set up craft and brocade weaving experiences and convert their homes into homestays.
Since 2019, Thanh has managed the Facebook fan page “Vĩnh Sơn—Land and People” to promote the area, connect agricultural product sales, and invite tourists to discover the region’s pristine beauty.
The page now has over 2,800 followers, serving as a bridge to bring local products and highland culture closer to visitors.
In Biển Hồ commune, Lu-Y Djoan (born 2006, Jrai ethnic group) is known as a young face who both studies and actively preserves and promotes ethnic music. Currently a final-year student majoring in Guitar at the Faculty of Culture and Arts, Gia Lai College, Djoan is passionate about gongs and the t’rưng bamboo xylophone.
Djoan’s musical journey began in eighth grade, starting with gongs and then self-learning the t’rưng, organ, and guitar.
In the past two years, he has sought out local artisans to learn how to craft the t’rưng. Djoan vividly recalls that it took him nearly a month and dozens of attempts to complete his first t’rưng, from selecting bamboo to tuning the notes. He still treasures that first instrument as a beautiful memory.
During performances, the group often combines the t’rưng, gongs, and k’long put, creating resonant melodies that echo through the mountains and forests.
Djoan’s passion goes beyond performance. He brings the t’rưng to cultural exchanges and events, helping to spread the movement “Youth preserving traditional culture.” In addition to music, he is also active in local youth union work, volunteering, and cultural activities.
