Homestays run by women

Realizing opportunities for tourism development, some Women’s Union members in Cam Lap Commune, Cam Ranh City have invested in homestay businesses and earned stable incomes.

Anh Tu Homestay owned by a woman named Nguyen Thi Tuyet born in 1986 in Binh Lap Village is located by a peaceful and stunning beach with shady coconut trees on a 6,000 m2 land. Nguyen Thi Tuyet’s family used to live on lobster farming but the income was unstable. In 2015, her family opened a restaurant with camping service. In 2020, Nguyen Thi Tuyet and her younger brother decided to run a homestay business.

Anh Tu Homestay is located close to a stunning beach.

Learning experience from others, they have gradually expanded their homestay to 6 rooms, each from VND80 to 300 million investment, offering a wide choice among single and double rooms, accommodating up to 22 people. The cost ranges from VND350,000 to VND1.5 million/room.

Coming here, you can enjoy the sun rising and reflecting over the ocean, relaxing in the seawater and tasting fantastic fresh food. Every month, the homestay receives roughly 200 guests, including 20 - 30 overnight stays. The homestay receives the most visitors during holidays and in summer. The average monthly revenue is VND20 to 30 million or VND70 to 80 million during peak seasons.

Nguyen Thi Tuyet said, "I get a stable income from the homestay business. Apart from household labor, the homestay provides work for 2 local workers with a salary of VND5 million/ month. We also hire seasonal workers when there are many tourists.” Her family also grows vegetables and fruits to have safe and fresh food to serve tourists and help them feel the truly peaceful atmosphere of the village.

Huong Tram Homestay owned by Truong Thi Tinh born in 1989 in Nuoc Ngot Village, Cam Lap Commune is mainly for overnight stays. The homestay has just opened for more than a year. Truong Thi Tinh used to travel about 20 kilometers to work, back and forth 4 times a day, so she and her husband decided to run a homestay business so that they can have more time at home taking care of their children.

On a 1,000 m2 plot, her family invested VND80 million/room in 6 single and double rooms, 20 to 24 m2 each, well-equipped with every comfort. Trees are added to create a beautiful and cool landscape. The homestay cost is VND250,000/room with promotional discounts available during some periods every year to attract visitors.

According to Truong Thi Tinh, the busiest time is summer, holidays and weekends. On the other hand, the homestay is expected to meet future demands of projects scheduled to be deployed locally soon.

​Thanks to information on mass media and social media and booking channels, many visitors at home and abroad come to the homestays. Dan Nguyen, a Vietnamese Canadian, said, “The place looked appealing on the internet so I booked the homestay for 2 months before the travel home. However, when coming here, I found that the room was so clean; the sea and bay views were so beautiful and the host family was so friendly that I decided to stay here up to 2 months before returning home."

"Despite difficulties, the homestay business brings the Commune Women's Union women members an additional income for their families. The local Women's Union has helped members to access banking capital to expand businesses. We also help promote the homestay destination to create jobs for women members," said Nguyen Thi Hang Lien, Chairwoman of Cam Lap Commune Women's Union.

H.T

Translated by N.T