Ta Phin is a small, impoverished village in the mountainous northwest province of Lao Cai, Vietnam, populated mainly by ethnic minority groups. The rapid development of tourism in the village has contributed to inequality between neighbourhoods and the loss of ethnic traditions and livelihoods as villagers chase the tourist dollar.  The Green Community House and Conservation Garden is situated in the poor neighbourhood of Sa Xeng, which has not yet seen many benefits from increased tourism. This architecturally-unique house will become a destination for tourists and villagers alike, providing a meeting place to make and sell traditional handicraft products and to host educational courses for the local community.