Rich in the cultural identity of the highlands, this stilt house in the Northeast is over 100 years old.

Welcoming travelers from afar in the historic land of Northeast Vietnam.

Having the opportunity to visit the majestic Northeast region, I didn't hesitate to choose Me Farmstay – one of the top accommodations in Cao Bang. Located on Provincial Road 203, Truong Ha commune (Ha Quang district), nearly 50 km from Cao Bang city center, Me Farmstay combines accommodation with tourism in a farm and garden model. Here, you can enjoy relaxing days in a space rich in the unique culture of the highlands and experience many everyday activities that are truly simple and peaceful.

Benefiting from a prime location and an area of ​​over 8,000 m².²Nestled between high mountains and with the Lenin stream flowing down to the foot of the mountain range, Mế Farmstay is embraced and surrounded by lush greenery, offering a feeling of profound peace.

Having the opportunity to chat with Mr. Vu Khac Thanh (1991), the owner and current manager of Me Farmstay, he shared: “I am the youngest of four brothers. We all worked together to build Me. My father passed away early, and my mother single-handedly raised us brothers. Starting with a name in the ethnic language, Me means mother. The initial idea was to build just a stilt house for my mother to live in, surrounded by nature, trees, and flowers. Later, we expanded due to the increasing number of tourists visiting Ha Quang, Cao Bang.”

Officially opened in early 2022, the Ha Quang area where Me Farmstay is located is also a historical site, where President Ho Chi Minh established the first base of the Vietnamese Revolution. Therefore, Me Farmstay was created by combining local architecture, preserving local traditional values, and recreating stories and landscapes that bear the strong imprint of local identity.

My impression of the grounds at Mế is the abundance of trees and flowers. Because it's a farmstay, Mế is surrounded by many delicate flowers, lush green lawns, and a captivating arched stone gate that enchants many travelers. Especially noteworthy is its location opposite a range of deep green mountains, giving the scenery a majestic and magnificent feel at all times.

Surrounding Mế are ponds, gardens, and livestock pens, combining relaxation with a model of agricultural production. Visiting Mế, you'll be immersed in the fresh air of Cao Bằng. Enjoy truly peaceful moments and feel life flowing by gently, pleasantly, accompanied by the chirping of birds, the babbling of streams, and the sounds of the mountains and forests. Just that alone is enough to dispel all stress, allowing you to experience a slow but poetic day.

Currently, Mế Farmstay comprises 12 private rooms and 4 dormitory rooms, divided into a main house and smaller rooms, forming a large complex resembling traditional highland houses. In addition to the stilt houses, the separate wooden bungalows are also roofed with yin-yang tiles salvaged from the homes of local people that are no longer in use. The tiles have acquired a mossy patina over time, recreating a sense of antiquity.

“The stilt houses in Mế retain the distinctive style and architecture of the Tay people, built with ironwood and covered with moss-covered yin-yang tiles. We bought the original, over 100-year-old houses from the locals and then renovated them to suit our needs. Perhaps that's why many guests are surprised when they come to Mế, not expecting to find such well-equipped rooms in a stilt house,” said Khắc Thành.

One striking feature of Mế that I noticed from the moment I stepped through the gate was the uniforms and the friendly, natural demeanor of the staff. The staff uniforms at Mế exude a rustic, traditional feel, reminiscent of the clothing of the Nùng ethnic group.

Mr. Khac Thanh recounted: “The staff at Me are all local people. Tourists can learn about the unique culture and traditions by chatting with the locals. My family has 10 employees who are all local residents. Previously, their job opportunities were very limited, mainly working in the fields or having to go far away to find work. While the tourism potential here is abundant, there is a 'labor drain'. Simply by providing them with agricultural products, the supply of raw materials my family buys has created jobs for them, increasing their production compared to before. Since Me was established, investment in tourism here has also developed and brought economic benefits to the local area.”

Rich in the unique character of the highlands.

In the evening, I was treated to signature dishes at Mế, thanks to the warm invitation from Mr. Thành's family. All the dishes had a very distinct and delicious flavor, especially the wild bamboo shoot soup, stir-fried wild greens, and homemade sausage.

For most visitors, besides the scenery, the main attraction that draws them back to Me is the cuisine. Visitors can enjoy a variety of unique dishes such as five-colored sticky rice, stream fish, braised pork belly, sticky rice with wild greens, and wild fern salad… Most of the dishes reflect the local culture, from the spices to the ingredients.

In addition to accommodation, Mế Farmstay also has connections with a traditional folk singing club for visitors who want to learn more about the traditional culture of the Tay and Nung ethnic groups. Besides that, there are unique activities such as: rafting, bonfires, bamboo dancing, paddleboarding, herbal foot baths, and renting traditional ethnic costumes for photos…

From Mế Farmstay, visitors can also reach many historical sites and enjoy the picturesque landscapes of Trường Hà border region, Hà Quảng district, Cao Bằng province, such as Lenin Stream, Pác Bó Cave, Karl Marx Mountain, and the Kim Đồng historical site…

“The key objective when building Mế Farmstay was to promote sustainable tourism. We hope that in the future, when businesses come to Hà Quảng to develop tourism with various services, they will have a well-planned, meticulous, and long-term sustainable approach. We will gradually develop according to the number of tourists and exploit tourism according to their needs, possibly linked to the local cultural potential. This will surely lead to great success. The lives of the local people will also improve as a result, contributing to the development of the local tourism industry,” Khắc Thành shared.

Phuong Thao is an editor at Travellive magazine. She is passionate about traveling and enjoys capturing moments with her camera in every place she visits. Travel, art, and lifestyle are Phuong Thao's favorite writing topics.

Phuong Thao