One of the most regrettable mistakes when visiting Bình Liêu is: Rushing straight up to viewpoints – snapping photos – heading back. The landscape is only half of Bình Liêu. According to official information in 2026, ethnic minorities account for a large portion of the population in Bình Liêu commune, with the primary communities including the Tày, Dao, Sán Chỉ, and Kinh. It is these communities that create the cultural depth that makes Bình Liêu completely different from Hạ Long.
Sán Chỉ and Soóng Cọ
Soóng Cọ is an important form of singing and courtship among the Sán Chỉ people. The 2026 Soóng Cọ Festival is held in the Khe Vằn waterfall area; the art of Soóng Cọ singing of the Sán Chỉ people in Quảng Ninh has been recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. Soóng Cọ is not simply a song for visitors to ask for a “sample performance.” It is a cultural practice tied to community life and communication.
Sán Chỉ Women's Football
A very distinctive feature of modern Bình Liêu tourism is the image of Sán Chỉ women playing football in traditional attire. In 2026, the Dao – Sán Chỉ women's football friendly match continues to be featured in the Soóng Cọ Festival program. This is an intriguing example of how traditional culture can thrive in contemporary life rather than being confined to a museum.
Dao Culture
The Bình Liêu area also has festivals and customs of the Dao people, such as the Wind-Avoidance Festival, alongside community cultural preservation programs maintained by the locality. If you happen to arrive during a festival, do not casually step into a ritual just because it looks crowded and fun.
When entering the village: you are a guest
A few important principles:
Do not enter homes without permission. Please stand outside and greet or ask first.
Do not open private room doors to look inside. People's homes are not exhibition models.
Do not take photos of locals the moment you meet them. Especially with the elderly and children, you should ask first.
Do not try on traditional attire without the host's consent. Traditional clothing is not shared props.
Buying Local Products
If you have the opportunity to buy:
- Canna vermicelli.
- Handicrafts.
- Agricultural produce.
- Local food.
buying directly from the makers is a better way to support the community economy than just coming to take photos. In 2026, Bình Liêu continues to guide community tourism development using resources such as traditional homes, cuisine, the canna vermicelli craft, and ethnic culture.
Do not “stage” culture just for photos
Do not ask: “Ma'am, please put on that ethnic costume and stand over there so I can take a photo.” if it is not an activity organized by the community. A candid photo taken with permission is always more valuable than a disrespectful staged scene.
Quick checklist
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Ask for permission before entering a house.
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Ask for permission before photographing people.
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Do not touch altar items.
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Do not wear traditional attire on your own without permission.
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Do not treat festivals as mere shows.
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Buy products directly from the community when appropriate.
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Keep noise to a minimum in the village.
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Do not litter.
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Respect borders and restricted areas.
