In March, Capilano University tourism students joined Hanoi Open University students in a community based tourism training project in the Sa Pa region in Viet Nam. The project, which began in the summer of 2010, is supported by the PATA Foundation. Two ethnic minority villages - Lao Chai and Ta Phin - are participating in specifically designed tourism training. 

Training modules are being delivered in a variety of topics including: Homestay development, Community Homestay management, Entrepreneurship and Marketing, Environmental Stewardship, Understanding the Tourist, English, Events Planning and Management, and Tourism Planning. Much of the focus is on village women and youth, however, other community groups / stakeholders, such as local government, are highly involved in the training.

The objectives of the project are to see the development of sustainable community based tourism, minimize the harmful impacts of tourism through community based planning and capacity building, and increase quality of life. For more information visit www.cbtvietnam.com or the Project Blog.