The Romantic Gaze & Its Real Impacts

To many visitors, Sa Pa and Mu Cang Chai are beautiful escapes — terraced rice fields, mountain treks, and colorful textiles. But what happens when this romantic tourist gaze meets the daily realities of local people?

One early finding in our research suggests that young Hmong women, often tour guides, navigate complex roles: both cultural ambassadors and breadwinners, often outside state support. As they guide visitors, they also negotiate shifting gender norms, economic expectations, and cultural authenticity.

Tourism, we are learning, doesn’t just observe culture — it shapes it.