Unique Thai bathing custom of Tu Le people

Traditional lifestyle of Thai people

Nestled at the foot of Khau Pha Pass, Tu Le Valley appears prosperous and peaceful, with vast terraced fields stretching from the side of Highway 32 to the border with the land of cardamom, Nam Co. Endowed with a fresh climate, this place is also famous for its year-round hot mineral springs, associated with the unique spring bathing culture of the Thai people. No one remembers when the spring bathing custom began, but it is known that the hot water flowing through the valley has been a place where the Thai people have immersed themselves for hundreds of years. Every afternoon, generations of local people invite each other to go to the spring to bathe as a way to relax, helping their bodies to be healthy after a hard day of working in the fields.

Although bathing in the same stream, men and women always keep their distance and divide their areas into separate areas. Women are often given priority to the upstream water, which is clearer and cleaner. For them, bathing is also an art taught by their mothers and sisters since they were shy. The black dress they wear every day turns into a discreet mobile bathroom, and the skirt is lifted up wherever they bathe. In the middle of the mountains and forests, somewhere the crisp laughter echoes in the hazy nature like a fairyland painting on earth. Legend has it that the hot stream is also where fairies bathe when they fly down from the gate of heaven (Khau Pha) to visit the earth. The "fairy scent" left in the water gives Thai girls white skin and famous beauty that is reflected in the lyrics: "Tu Le white rice clear water / Whoever goes there does not want to return".

Over the centuries, the custom of bathing in the stream has become an indispensable part of the local people's lifestyle. Located next to the golden rice fields, the natural hot springs are now surrounded by people to form a hot bath and a warm bath depending on each person's preference. From the elderly to children, everyone goes to bathe in the stream. This is both a place to nourish their health and a space to meet, chat, dispel worries, and share joys in life.

Unique resort experience for tourists

Preserving many cultural values, hot spring bathing has become a unique attraction for people from all over to explore this land. Instead of being located on the banks of the stream, hot spring bathing spots have been invested in and exploited in a more high-class direction in tourist areas. Soak in the hot spring 45^oC is not only a relaxing resort experience but also brings countless benefits to health and beauty such as sterilization, eliminating toxins to help increase blood circulation for better sleep, smoother whiter skin. In addition, beneficial minerals in the water will stimulate the body's immune system, help relax the body and mind, and support the treatment of some skin diseases.

To comfortably enjoy this experience, visitors can choose one of the newly opened luxury resorts in Yen Bai such as Le Champ. Located right in the center of Tu Le, this place possesses a very typical landscape of the Northwest highlands with rooms built in the image of Thai stilt houses, harmoniously combined with high-class amenities such as hot mineral baths, infinity pools and spas for relaxing moments. Discovering the land of legends, visitors can not only immerse themselves in the diverse colors of cultural regions, but also enjoy high-class resort services. Immersing in hot water in the middle of majestic wild nature, listening to legendary stories from ancient times will definitely be an experience that visitors cannot miss when coming to Tu Le.

PV