Where the Mong people's culture "lives forever" at the foot of Lung Cu flagpole
Lung Cu flagpole, standing proudly on the top of Dragon Mountain, Lung Cu commune, Dong Van district, has long been a sacred symbol of national sovereignty and the northernmost point of Vietnam. This place not only attracts tourists by its special geographical location but also by the majestic beauty of nature and heroic historical stories.
From the top of the flagpole, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the mountains, deep valleys and winding roads. In particular, visitors will be amazed by the two natural freshwater lakes, affectionately called "Dragon Eye" lakes by the locals. The two lakes are clear blue, never dry all year round, like two bright pupils in the heart of the mountains and forests. The lake on the left is located near Lo Lo Chai village, while the lake on the right is near Then Pa village.
Then Pa, located at the foot of Lung Cu flagpole, still retains many traditional features of the Mong people such as their lifestyle or rammed earth houses with yin-yang tiled roofs.
Then Pa, in the Mong language, means "large field", a name that partly reflects the rare flat terrain on the Dong Van Stone Plateau. Then Pa lies peacefully at the foot of Lung Cu flagpole, next to Dragon Eye Lake, creating a poetic and lyrical scene.
From the foot of Lung Cu flagpole, visitors only need to travel a short distance of about 1km to reach Then Pa. Although it has a favorable geographical location, similar to Lo Lo Chai, Then Pa developed tourism later and is currently not known to many tourists. Perhaps because of that, this small village has a rare tranquility in the middle of the vast mountains and forests.
In the early morning, the village is immersed in a hazy fog, people are awakened by the sunlight, the sound of roosters crowing to signal a new day, not the sound of car horns like in the city.
Then Pa is like a "muse" nestling at the foot of Lung Cu flagpole, separated from the hustle and bustle of the outside world. Coming here, visitors will be immersed in a peaceful space, listening to the clear sounds of the mountains and forests, the chirping of birds on the tree branches, the sound of weaving linen, the sound of children playing and laughing echoing from afar.
Not yet developed much tourism, Then Pa village (Ha Giang) retains many unique cultural and traditional features.
Then Pa Village is said to have preserved, to this day, over 100 years of history, the traditional cultural features of the Mong ethnic group. The most typical is probably the architecture of the houses here, which are all made of earthen walls and yin-yang tiled roofs. The local people wear colorful brocade costumes not only in special ceremonies and festivals but also in daily activities and work.
Most of the houses here are traditional H'Mong houses with walls made of earth, roofs covered with yin-yang tiles, and the village is surrounded by walls made of stone.
If you have the opportunity to stand from Lung Cu flagpole and look down, you will see Then Pa village nestled among the gray cat-ear rocks of Dong Van. The village is simple and poetic with a truly beautiful and poetic scene. Here, the houses of the local people are all made of earthen walls with characteristic yin-yang tiled roofs, creating a distinctive mark for the culture and lifestyle of the Mong people.
When visiting Then Pa, tourists will pass by two rows of ancient trees that are up to a hundred years old. This tree species is widely grown in Ha Giang because of its tenacious vitality and good growth in the rocky plateau. The tree has a straight trunk, and its branches are divided into beautiful and poetic layers. Thanks to that, the beautiful scenery of Then Pa village becomes even more beautiful.
At the entrance to the village there are two rows of ancient cypress trees, hundreds of years old. cypress is a woody tree with coniferous leaves and straight, conical trunks and horizontal branches growing in layers.
Passing through the rows of trees to enter the village, visitors will see houses with gray tiled roofs and rammed earth walls located close together. Behind the houses, around the garden are cool green trees, a pleasant atmosphere spreads out, covering the landscape. Then Pa is perhaps most beautiful in the early morning, when the misty fog surrounds the village, adding to the beauty of the picture here.
Peaceful beauty at the homeland's border
If Lo Lo Chai village stands out with the culture of the Lo Lo people, Then Pa shows the mark of the Mong people. Two villages, two cultures and two lakes create a unique picture. In particular, the peaceful atmosphere in Then Pa makes you feel the difference. A tourist commented that here, people wake up to the sunlight and the sound of roosters crowing, not the noisy sound of car horns like in the city.
In the past, the lives of Then Pa people revolved around fields, livestock, and cultivation.
The lives of Then Pa people used to depend mainly on agriculture, livestock and cultivation. However, in 2021, realizing the tourism potential, the local government encouraged households to invest in developing the service industry. Many rammed earth houses have been converted into homestays to serve tourists. In addition, some families also opened restaurants serving specialties such as thang co, black chicken hotpot, men men, etc.
Each season, Then Pa village wears a different beauty. In spring, pear and peach blossoms bloom, creating a romantic scene on the roads and in the gardens. The third lunar month is when pear blossoms bloom most brilliantly, making the picture of Then Pa brighter and gentler than ever.
Then Pa is beautiful, gentle and peaceful every morning.
When summer comes, the village becomes green with corn fields stretching out. In addition to growing rice, people also cultivate corn to improve their lives. This is the ideal time to admire the clear blue beauty of Dragon Eye Lake.
In autumn, the scenery becomes poetic with golden ripe rice fields. Although there are not many terraced fields like Hoang Su Phi, the beauty of autumn here is also very impressive. If you like cold air and fog, come to Then Pa in the winter. At this time, the temperature will drop very low, the hills and mountains seem to be immersed in a quiet and somewhat sad atmosphere.
Living in the cold mountains, the Mong people in Then Pa have developed houses with earthen walls to cope with the harsh climate. The earthen walls and yin-yang tiled roofs not only help keep warm in the cold winter but also create an airy space in the hot summer, while protecting against wild animals.
People still work and live according to traditional customs such as wearing brocade costumes, using tools made from wood and bamboo, weaving linen, and raising livestock.
The houses here are usually designed according to a certain pattern, consisting of three rooms and two doors. The room on the left is usually used for cooking and as a bedroom for the owner; the middle room is for ancestor worship as well as for eating and receiving guests; the room on the right is usually for guests to stay, with a fireplace for heating on cold days. The bedrooms are arranged reasonably with an attic floor for storing utensils and food.
The simple life, sometimes full of difficulties, of the people here
Before construction, the homeowner will choose a piece of land with good yang energy, proceed to level the ground and build the foundation. The chosen land must have a certain flexibility and adhesion. When building a house, the villagers will participate together, each person will take on a stage from digging the ground to making molds. After completing the exterior construction, the homeowner will choose a good day to perform the column laying ceremony. Around each house, natural green stone slabs are arranged in fences, creating solid stone walls without the use of adhesives.
Then Pa is a community village consisting of about ten households of the Vang family. Many generations have lived here, so the unique lifestyle, culture and customs are still preserved.
When you set foot in the village, you will feel the peaceful space and time slow down. Adults are busy with their daily work, while children play, looking at visitors with curious eyes, as if they are from another world. You should spend at least one night here to relax and participate in traditional activities such as weaving linen, dyeing or painting patterns on fabric, creating unique souvenirs, forever reminding you of your journey to visit this wild and peaceful village.
Then Pa is a great destination for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, return to nature and experience the simple life of ethnic people. Come to Then Pa to feel the beauty of the rocky plateau and learn about the unique cultural identity of the Mong people.
