Lai Chau, the Northwestern border region of Vietnam, has long attracted tourists with its wild, majestic beauty and peaceful villages hidden among the mountains and forests. With the desire to find tranquility and experience the indigenous culture, young girl Nguyen Do Binh An (23 years old, Hanoi) took a journey to explore this land, leaving her with many deep impressions.
The journey to Lai Chau is not only about exploring nature but also about experiencing indigenous culture.
From the first days of arriving in Lai Chau, Binh An felt the warmth of the people here. She shared: "I was impressed by the friendliness of the people here." The sincerity and hospitality of the local people made her feel close, like returning home after long days away.
The first stop on Binh An’s journey was Si Thau Chai village, a small village located in Tam Duong district. Although the area is not large and tourism services are not yet strongly developed, Si Thau Chai gives her a sense of peace in the middle of nature. The traditional houses are dotted with a few plum trees, creating a rustic and simple picture of the countryside.
Lai Chau - the wild beauty of the Northwest mountains and forests, a destination for those who love to explore
Continuing the journey, Binh An came to Sin Suoi Ho village, Phong Tho district. Located at an altitude of nearly 1,500 m above sea level, at the foot of Son Bac May mountain, Sin Suoi Ho is known as an attractive community tourism destination. The village is famous for its open, clean space and green, sustainable tourism. The roads in the village are covered with flowers and green trees, creating the feeling of being lost in a large natural garden. Binh An commented: "Sin Suoi Ho is very peaceful, gentle and poetic".
At this time, Lai Chau is also in plum blossom season.
The people of Sin Suoi Ho, mainly Mong ethnic people, have joined hands to build the village into a civilized and friendly destination. They not only focus on keeping the environment clean but also preserve and promote traditional cultural features. Visitors coming here will experience the daily life of the people, participating in activities such as weaving linen, painting beeswax or pounding rice cakes. In particular, the market held every Saturday morning is where visitors can learn about and shop for local products, from cardamom, orchids to sophisticated brocade products.
A corner of the Lai Chau highland market, where cultural colors blend into daily life
One of Binh An’s most memorable experiences in Lai Chau was climbing Son Bac May Mountain. With the guidance of a local, she had the opportunity to conquer this mountain peak. From the height, she could look out into the distance, admiring the panoramic view of the village and the majestic mountain ranges. The feeling of standing in the middle of the sky, breathing the fresh air and admiring the majestic nature left an unforgettable impression on her.
After days of experience in Lai Chau, Binh An realized that this is not only a place to explore nature and culture, but also an ideal place to "heal" the soul. She confided: "Tourists can come to Lai Chau to heal, to escape from worries for many days because here is very peaceful, deserted, not crowded". The tranquility of the mountains and forests, along with the hospitality of the people, helped her regain balance and peace in life.
Visitors can also experience transforming into "village girls" in colorful traditional costumes.
To make the trip more complete, visitors should consider the appropriate time, means of transport, accommodation and typical experiences in Lai Chau. The climate here is cool all year round, but the most beautiful is from September to November, when the weather is dry and the natural scenery is at its most brilliant. From Hanoi, visitors can choose a bus or private car along National Highway 32 or National Highway 6, with a distance of about 400 km.
When coming to villages like Sin Suoi Ho, homestay is the ideal choice to immerse yourself in the life of local people. Currently, the village has more than 20 households doing community tourism, bringing authentic and warm experiences. Not only stopping at exploring the landscape, visitors can also participate in traditional cultural and artistic activities, conquer mountain climbing paths, hunt clouds or simply enjoy the quiet space in the mountains and forests of the Northwest.
Wild flowers bloom on the roads leading to the village, adding to the beauty of Lai Chau.
For those who are looking for a destination to "heal" and experience indigenous culture, Lai Chau is definitely an option not to be missed.
Binh An's trip to Lai Chau is not only a journey to discover a new land, but also an opportunity for her to find peace of mind. For those who are looking for a destination to "heal" and experience indigenous culture, Lai Chau is definitely an option not to be missed.
