The 'Man Kháu' Exhibition: A Story of Water, Rice, and Community.

The community-led installation art exhibition, supported by the UNDP's Youth4Climate Initiative, opens a new path for heritage tourism, connecting visitors to the story of water and rice.

In Đôn Village, a peaceful hamlet nestled in the mountains of Pù Luông, a unique story of rice culture is being told through the language of art. Magnolia Sustainable Experiences Social Enterprise has officially opened the one-of-a-kind community exhibition, "Man Kháu - Rice Up," at the Đôn Village Cultural House. The exhibition is open to the public from September 9 to September 30, 2025.

"Man Kháu" is a key part of the project "Preserving Pù Luông’s Rice Culture through Sustainable Water Management in Tourism," implemented by Magnolia. It is one of 50 initiatives worldwide selected for funding by the Youth4Climate program, an initiative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security.

From a Guiding Key message to a Monument of Pride

"Man Kháu" is the result of a deep collaboration process between Magnolia and the Thai community in Đôn Village, based on its key message, “Giữ Mạch - Nuôi Mầm,” which translates to “Keeping up with the Flow, Growing up with the Sprout.” The process began with a deep-listening phase through in-depth community surveys and interviews to understand the local cultural values and challenges. Following that, capacity-building workshops on sustainable tourism and service operations were organized for local people and accommodation owners. In parallel, the project also piloted practical solutions like the "banana circle" model for treating organic waste.

It was from this foundation of understanding and enhanced capacity that the idea for the "Man Kháu" exhibition was co-created and executed. The name "Man Kháu," meaning "pregnant rice," was a symbolic suggestion from Ms. Hà Thị Biềm, a woman from the village . What makes "Man Kháu" truly different is the absolute spirit of community ownership; 90% of the materials, labor, and knowledge are locally sourced, turning the exhibition into a shared monument of pride.

A Multi-Sensory Experience Journey

Stepping into the Man Kháu exhibition, visitors pass through a giant ‘wishing cắp’ at the entrance and begin a multi-sensory journey of discovery. The path is designed as a closed circle, guiding guests through artistic "zones" that tell the story of the rice plant from the moment the seed awakens, to learning about the unique indigenous irrigation system, and finally, to confronting a powerful environmental message in the "Reflection Zone".

Beyond the exhibition space, the project offers a direct connection to the local culture through two unique culinary roads: the “Cơm Lam Road” and the “Rượu Cần Road.” Here, visitors can taste the most exquisite flavors of Pù Luông at the homes of local artisans, from fragrant bamboo-tube rice grilled over charcoal at Ms. Diệp’s house to sharing warm, traditional tube wine and listening to the stories of the craft from Ms. Lọng’s family.

The successful opening event on September 9 featured lively activities such as a "From Seed to Table" culinary competition and traditional Thai cultural performances.

The project originated from the founders' journey to answer big questions. Ms. Dang Ha, co-founder of Magnolia, shared about a turning point in her career: "Covid-19 was actually a good opportunity for me to step out of the daily routine, reflect on my career path, and gain life-changing experiences.” 

Mr. Hà Huy Giáp, the Head of Đôn Village, shared his perspective: "At first, we had some concerns, but through the implementation process, especially the training workshops, the local people and I came to understand and trust the project more. We understand the project’s goal is to preserve the terraced fields and the rice culture so that our people can benefit long-term from community tourism."

Mr. Hà Huy Giáp, the Head of Đôn Village

Visitor Information: The "Man Kháu - Rice Up" exhibition is open daily to all visitors until September 30, 2025, at the Đôn Village Cultural House, Thanh Lam Commune, Ba Thuoc District, Thanh Hoa Province. An admission fee of 25,000 VND applies.

About Magnolia Sustainable Experiences: Magnolia Sustainable Experiences is a social enterprise in Vietnam operating with the mission to place community at the center of the tourism industry, building models of equal collaboration to preserve cultural heritage and develop sustainable livelihoods .

About Youth4Climate: Youth4Climate is an initiative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security, which aims to support and advance youth-led solutions to tackle climate change globally.