Spatial organization of Community living spaces in Sán Chay Ethnic villages in the Northern mountainous region for Community-Based touris

Abstract

The organization of community living spaces in Sán Chay ethnic villages in the Northern mountainous region of Vietnam plays a crucial role in preserving cultural identity and promoting sustainable communitybased tourism. These spaces not only reflect traditional customs and beliefs but also serve as social hubs that enhance the quality of life for local residents. However, under the pressures of urbanization and socio-economic changes, many traditional community spaces are gradually disappearing, while newly developed spaces often lack coherence with indigenous cultural values.

This article examines the characteristics of community space organization among the Sán Chay people, as well as the current state of preservation and development of these spaces in the contemporary context. The research was conducted through field surveys, in-depth interviews with local residents and officials, and analysis of secondary data, combined with a comparative approach between traditional and contemporary spatial models. Based on this analysis, the study proposes strategic directions for enhancing the role of community spaces in tourism, including the conservation of traditional spatial structures, the improvement of infrastructure for tourism, the empowerment of local communities in managing and utilizing these spaces, and the integration of indigenous cultural elements into sustainable community space development.

Keywords: Spatial organization; communal space; communitybased tourism.