Ha Giang is a convergent point of quintessential cultural patterns of the Hmong and Lo Lo. It also explains the charm among both domestic and foreign tourists who come for a touch of Dong Van rock highlands.
Pa Vi Ha homestay village
PA VI HA HOMESTAY VILLAGE OF THE HMONG
Pa Vi Ha homestay village in Pa Vi commune, Meo Vac district, is one of the renowned homestay hubs that have attracted domestic and foreign tourists alike to Meo Vac district.
Commenced in 2016 and officially in operation in April 2019, Pa Vi Ha homestay village spans a total area of 46,000sqm and is divided into three subsections. Each subsection hosts green spaces for peach blossoms and smaller gardens dotted with indication signage in a closed design. There are up to date 28 households who specialize in this homestay unit for tourists’ sake. It’s a cluster of different homestay units all laid out in the shape of a blossom; the iconic species of Meo Vac. Homestay units are all modeled after traditional Hmong residences. The houses are essentially rammed earth as plastered by native craftsmen and host three compartments and two gables, with wooden pillars and yin-yang tiles on both floors. Each homestay unit spans around 300sqm and fended by piles of hard rocks all around.
To meet visitors’ demands, each homestay unit is designed to host a playground, café and modest dining room, not to mention souvenir shops to sell ethnic fabrics and daily items of the Hmong. All households of the hamlet are trained of tourist operations to ensure proper standards, price transparency and environmental protection in catering services and experiences.
Visitors to Pa Vi Ha homestay village should feel free to explore and appreciate cultural essences of the Hmong, take part in the weaving and making of ethnic fabrics, make corn liquor, relish their unique cuisine or watch traditional performances…
As springtime arrives, all from Lower Pa Vi homestay village to Meo Vac district, visitors delight in the eternal highland spring vibe by exploring New Year rituals, their traditional festivals and folk beliefs of the Hmong and their Lolo, Giay or Dao brethrens; wander to appealing destinations in Meo Vac or flock to make the most of the buzzing festive mood in Khau Vai love market, the most significant gathering in this district on the rock highlands, which typically takes place only once a year on Lunar March 27th.
Lo Lo Chai cultural village. Photo: Nguyen The Binh
LO LO CHAI CULTURAL VILLAGE
At the foot of the national flagstaff of Lung Cu, Lolo Chai cultural village (Lung Cu commune, Dong Van district) is at the northernmost point of our country and hosts 96 households. Here visitors get immersed in their rammed earth houses roofed with yin-yang tiles. The hamlet still hosts 37 rammed earth houses, most of which are converted into comfy homestay units for tourists’ sake. Rammed earth houses are warm in winter and cool in summer. A highlight of Lolo Chai that any visitors seek after is Northernmost Café. The café was founded by a Japanese tourist named Yasushi Ogura, and all interiors such as tablewares, furniture, the making of drinks, communications and cultural exchanges were all enthusiastically passed on and instructed by him to Lolo Chai natives to meet tourists’ demands.
Its residential architecture, cultural life and lifestyle of ethnic minorities aside, Lolo Chai hamlet also treats visitors to homebrewed maize liquor with leaf yeast, unique treats, a number of folk performances, experiences to don ethnic costumes or participation in embroideries of decorative patterns on Lolo ethnic costumes…
In your journey to Lolo Chai hamlet, one can also join festivities by the Hmong, climb up the northernmost tip, drop in Lung Cu flagstaff, explore stretchy rows of buckwheat flowers or relish buckwheat liquor served with related treats from this flower species that taste on a whole different league.
Tuan Hai