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Cultural Tourism in Thailand: How the Lanna Sell Local Heritage

In Chiang Mai, the Lanna people transform tradition into immersive tourism—from Khantoke dinners to cultural dance. A personal journey exploring how Thailand preserves heritage and what Vietnam can learn.
Cultural Tourism in Thailand: How the Lanna Sell Local Heritage

Preserving Culture Through Tourism

Bài viết này cũng có phiên bản tiếng Việt:  Du Lịch Văn Hóa Tại Thái Lan – Người Lanna Và Nghệ Thuật Bán Di Sản.

This article isn’t just about tourism—it’s about how cultural preservation is woven into everyday life and what Vietnam can learn from this approach.

At the beginning of 2025, my friend Miwa visited Vietnam to source handmade crafts and woven textiles from local artisans. Initially, I found them expensive and impractical, but she emphasized their deeper value:

✅ Cultural sustainability – As artisans age and skills fade, restoring lost craftsmanship—like in Japan—becomes costly.
✅ Authenticity matters – Handmade items, though not always practical, carry traditions that machine-made goods can’t replicate.

This discussion set the tone for my visit to Chiang Mai, where I experienced firsthand how the Lanna people turn local heritage into an immersive tourism model.

Traditional Khantoke dinner tray in Chiang Mai—featuring sticky rice, boiled vegetables, fried dishes, and Lanna-style curry.
A standard Khantoke dinner tray in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Dishes are served in small bowls on a round wooden tray, including sticky rice, curry, boiled greens, and fried items—each representing the flavors and heritage of Northern Thai cuisine.

Khantoke Dinner: A Model for Cultural Tourism

In 2024, I attended a Khantoke Dinner & dance performance in Chiang Mai. While the city has plenty of farm stays, trekking tours, and local markets, none felt distinctly different from Vietnam—until this experience.

What is a Khantoke Dinner?
A traditional Lanna-style dining experience featuring:
✅ Authentic northern Thai cuisine
✅ Live music & cultural dance performances
✅ Immersive storytelling through food & tradition

Location: Old Chiangmai Cultural Center
Price: Over 500,000 VND per person (excluding transportation)
Duration: 2-3 hours

The venue, a traditional wooden house, centered around a performance stage, added to the immersive cultural atmosphere.

Foreign guests seated under a traditional stilt house in Chiang Mai, enjoying a Khantoke dinner in Lanna style
Designated area for foreign guests at a Khantoke dinner in Chiang Mai. Seated beneath a traditional stilt house, they gather around a round meal tray—immersing themselves in Northern Thailand’s cultural and culinary heritage.

How the Experience is Structured

Upon booking, the organizers contacted me via WhatsApp to arrange transportation—impressive attention to customer service.

Seating Options:
✅ Floor seating (following traditional Lanna customs)
✅ Table seating (for those preferring chairs)

Upon arrival, guests are greeted warmly, guided inside, and seated according to pre-arranged bookings.

💬 Observing Cultural Preferences:
🔹 Asian guests (Vietnamese, Lao, Thai) were more social & lively, engaging in conversation and enjoying drinks.
🔹 Western guests attended solo, silently appreciating the performance and traditional setting.

The thoughtful hospitality contributed to an unforgettable experience.

Traditional Lanna dance performance on an elevated central stage during a Khantoke dinner in Chiang Mai
A traditional Lanna dance performed on a raised stage at the heart of a Khantoke dinner in Chiang Mai. The central placement highlights how cultural performance takes center stage—both literally and symbolically—in Northern Thai hospitality.

Food Presentation: Selling Culture Through Cuisine

Khantoke Dinners feature sticky rice, boiled vegetables, and fried dishes—flavors range from spicy, slightly sweet, and mildly bitter.

While some might find the food oily, the presentation elevates its cultural significance.
❌ Serving sticky rice in plain bowls = just another meal.
✅ Serving it in woven bamboo containers = a storytelling experience.

The staff ensured that unlimited servings were available, reinforcing Thai hospitality.

My mother seated beside a Khantoke dinner tray, on a high chair by the window in a traditional Chiang Mai setting.
A personal moment: my mother enjoying a Khantoke dinner from a high chair by the window. While not seated on the floor in traditional Lanna style, the experience remained heartfelt and culturally rich.

Music & Traditional Dance: The Heart of Lanna Culture

The highlight was the Lanna-style dance, accompanied by live music that immersed guests in Chiang Mai’s heritage.

🚀 Key Takeaway:
This level of cultural commitment wouldn’t be possible without government support—preserving traditional performances requires long-term funding, salaries, and strong organizational backing.

Would implementing a similar experience in Vietnam be possible? Certainly—but it requires investment, structure, and deep-rooted cultural commitment.


A traditional Lanna dance performed on the central stage during a Khantoke dinner in Chiang Mai. Live music and graceful movements bring Northern Thai heritage to life through sound and motion.

Final Thoughts: Lessons for Vietnam

✅ Cultural tourism isn’t just about selling products—it’s about creating immersive experiences.
✅ Thailand & Japan successfully market their traditions—Vietnam must find a way to position its culture as premium rather than just focusing on raw agricultural exports.
✅ Economic growth vs. cultural erosion – Rapid development risks weakening cultural identity if preservation efforts aren’t prioritized.

For me, the best way forward isn’t just selling coffee—it’s about integrating heritage into farm experiences, ensuring tradition and tourism go hand in hand.

💬 What’s next?
👉 Researching how to integrate cultural tourism at HuyEco rather than solely focusing on agriculture.

Wishing everyone a prosperous & culturally rich year! 🎉

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In case you want to use the materials for non-profit community purposes, please contact the author at email address: huyeco1125@gmail.com
Sincerely
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