Hanoi, May 27 -- The rapid growth of social media has become a powerful gateway connecting local destinations with travelers, helping promote community-based tourism, boost local economic growth and preserve cultural identities. Among the success stories is Vang Thi Thong, a Tay ethnic woman from Ban Lien commune in northern Lao Cai province. Long before gaining attention through a reality television programme, she and her family had quietly developed community-based tourism in the mountainous region. Through short videos shared on platforms such as TikTok and Facebook, Thong showcases daily life in her village, including preparing meals for guests, harvesting Shan Tuyet tea, cooking in a traditional stilt house and guiding visitors throu...