Orientation for the architectural development of thai ethnic housing in the northwest region to serve community tourism

Abstract

The Thai ethnic group is one of 53 ethnic minorities with the third largest population in Vietnam. They reside mainly in the Northwest provinces, where there are beautiful and unique natural landscapes. Thai people have a unique culture that is expressed in many aspects, including the spatial structure of the village and the architecture of traditional houses with their ethnic characteristics. It is this unique culture of the Thai people, combined with the natural beauty of the Northwest, that has created an attraction for tourists.

However, recent economic, social, and cultural developments and exchanges have changed the face of Thai ethnic house architecture in the Northwest; many traditional houses are being replaced with new houses built in the Kinh style. This diminishes traditional architectural heritage values and indirectly erodes Thai ethnic cultural values. The article proposes directions for developing Thai ethnic housing to serve community tourism as a basis for research on specific solutions in the next stage, which contributes to the promotion of economic and social development in Thai villages in the Northwest region.

Keywords: Thai; traditional housing architecture; stilt house; Thai village; mountain tourism.