Nestled in the endless forests of Mang Den commune, Vi Ro Ngheo tourism village has emerged as a “healing paradise” adorned with colorful blooms, rustic homestays, and the rich cultural traditions of the Xo Dang people.

Vi Ro Ngheo, located in Mang Den commune of Quang Ngai province (previously part of Dak Tang commune, Kon Plong district, Kon Tum province), lies beside the Dak Snghe River, near the Thượng Kon Tum Hydropower Reservoir, and is embraced by vast pine forests and majestic mountains.

From the summit of Ngoc Ruong Mountain, the ancient village of Vi Ro Ngheo resembles a peaceful painting, with dozens of thatched rooftops, a gentle murmuring stream, and lush, green farmlands.

Often described as a “healing village,” Vi Ro Ngheo attracts travelers seeking tranquility and unspoiled beauty.

The village is particularly known for its cleanliness and its vibrant floral landscape, with blooming rhododendrons, purple melastomas, and especially, orchids.

Vi Ro Ngheo preserves the unique architectural features of an indigenous village and a wealth of cultural traditions, including the communal Rong house, the New Rice Festival, gong and xoang dances around the fire, and intricate weaving and basketry.

Nguyen Thi Bich Van (62, from Gia Lai) has visited Vi Ro Ngheo three times and still yearns to return.

Having traveled to many ethnic tourism villages across Vietnam, she’s most impressed by how remarkably clean the village is - from communal areas to private homes.

Alcohol is rare in daily life. Instead, villagers spend their free time playing sports or engaging in cultural activities like gong performances, folk singing, and traditional dances.

“From kindergarteners to the elderly, everyone is gentle and joyful,” Van shared. “The kids speak Vietnamese fluently and love introducing their village to visitors. Each villager is like a friendly tour guide, united in preserving their culture.”

Although Vi Ro Ngheo is remote and nearly isolated, its residents approach tourism with remarkable awareness. They cherish their forests, pine trees, rhododendrons, and orchids as priceless treasures.

At the village entrance, rows of homestays greet visitors. Their hand-carved wooden signs are simple yet charming.

From village paths to home gardens, flowers - especially orchids - bloom everywhere, earning Vi Ro Ngheo the nickname “orchid heaven.”

Orchids are planted in repurposed hollowed-out logs filled with husks and compost. Visitors are welcome to explore, admire, and photograph to their heart’s content.

Do Do (36), a tourism and media professional in Mang Den, has returned to Vi Ro Ngheo multiple times over the past three years, drawn by its rare serenity.

Here, visitors can enjoy rustic dishes like bamboo-tube rice, fermented rice wine, stream fish, forest greens, smoked meat, and grilled frog wrapped in bamboo.

They can also immerse themselves in Xo Dang culture - working in rice fields, trekking in the forest, fishing, or herding buffalo with the locals.

For mountain lovers, Vi Ro Ngheo offers ideal trails to hike with villagers, admire wild orchids and rhododendrons in bloom, and enjoy panoramic views of the village below.

Since May 2023, Vi Ro Ngheo officially launched its community-based tourism model, attracting thousands of domestic and international visitors.

Once solely reliant on farming, villagers now showcase their cultural heritage and natural beauty to improve livelihoods through tourism.

Each season brings its own charm, but spring is the most spectacular, when cherry blossoms and orchids bloom simultaneously across the village.

Linh Trang