The Dak Lak Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism said on Saturday that Lang Lo Village in Hoa Hiep Ward had been nominated for the Best Tourism Villages initiative run by UN Tourism.
Located on the province's eastern coast, Lang Lo has a history spanning more than four centuries and is home to about 1,500 households.
The village's name is closely linked to its traditional fishing industry. In the past, when fishing was the main source of livelihood, residents built numerous brick kilns to steam and dry freshly caught fish for preservation before it was transported elsewhere.
Typically, three or four households shared a kiln made of brick and coated with a mixture of mud and straw to retain heat. The kilns, once central to the lives of generations of fishermen, eventually gave the village its name.
Beyond its coastline, Lang Lo is known for its traditional red-tiled houses, yellow-painted walls, narrow lanes and a coastal community whose way of life has been preserved over generations.
In 2023, the former Dong Hoa Town launched a community-based tourism development project in the village. Several homestays and small seaside cafés have since opened, giving visitors opportunities to experience local life.
As the village gradually diversifies beyond fishing, newer houses and tourism services have emerged, creating economic opportunities while also raising challenges over preserving its traditional architecture and maritime heritage.
Lang Lo is one of five Vietnamese villages nominated for Best Tourism Villages 2026, alongside Cat Cat Community Tourism Village in Lao Cai Province, Cam Thanh's Bay Mau nipa palm forest in Danang, Mang Den Treehouse Village in Quang Ngai Province and Huu Lien Community Tourism Village in Lang Son Province.
The initiative recognises rural destinations that preserve cultural and natural heritage while promoting sustainable tourism and community development.
UN Tourism is expected to announce the 2026 Best Tourism Villages in the fourth quarter of the year.
