Like Y Linh Ho Village, Lao Chai – Ta Van Village is one of the most attractive destinations in Sapa. With its extremely wild beauty, Lao Chai Village can conquer any tourist. Lao Chai – Ta Van Village is like a “poetic inspiration” of the northwest mountains to fall in love at once.
1. General Information
Depending on the paths, Lao Chai – Ta Van Village is 7km – 11km from Sapa Town. Lao Chai – Ta Van Villages are 2 large villages in Sapa Town, which are the inhabitation of H’mong, Dao Do, Giay communities. These villages belong to Muong Hoa valley – the largest valley in Sapa lying along with the Hoang Lien Son mountain range. Until now, Lao Chai – Ta Van Village still retains the unspoiled beauty and wild features of the highlands.
Staying in Sapa for a while and then going to Lao Chai – Ta Van Village, you will admire its peace and romance. You will also be overwhelmed by the natural scenery with beautiful terrace fields across the hillsides, the streams and the calling of forest birds.
2. What makes Lao Chai – Ta Van Village attractive
2.1. The beauty of terraced fields
You will fall in love at the first time seeing the terraced fields, especially in the period from April to September – the whole fields are painted in golden color. These fields have been for decades. From generations, H’mong and Dao people still grow rice on these ancient terraced fields as a habit and custom. The poetic beauty of the large terraced fields is the inspiration for commemorative photos.
See more: Hekou international gate in Sapa: Where you can visit “a little of China”
2.2. Join the local festivals
If you are in the period of local festivals, you will have a chance to watch the extremely unique dance performance of ethnic monitories. The indigenous music is also interesting to explore and some tourists have fallen in love with its specialty.
At night, locals gather around a large campfire in the center of the village, sing and dance to get off after a tiring day of work.
2.3. Enjoy special foods
The traditional food has been mentioned such as the buffalo meat upstairs kitchen, the rolls with guise leaves, corn wine, apple cider and especially red plums wine, etc…Through such simple meals, you can gradually feel the familiarity and attachment with the local people here.
2.4. Live like a local
Staying in homestays, you can discover the ethnic life, the ancient and unique cultural features – that is the reason why staying in homestays is recommended. Many homestays are created to help tourists get more chances to experience the local’s “authentic life”.
Most of the homestays are made of wood, very rustic and simple, built along the slope of the rice fields, surrounded by majestic mountains. When waking up in the morning, looking at the natural scenery, you can easily enjoy the beauty of the village and the murmuring stream.
2.5. Visit the oldest village
Lao Chai – Ta Van Village is separated into small villages including the oldest village – the village of Giay people. The village is located in the territory of Hoang Lien National Park and is home to the Giay ethnic community. There, you will admire the most pristine beauty with peaceful villages covered by almost all the green trees.
3. Somethings you should know
A few years ago, to visit Ta Van village, you didn’t need to buy tickets. The entrance gate is also not strictly controlled. But now, you have to pay money at Lao Chai – Ta Van Village and most of the tourist attractions in Sapa. The government wants to promote and support the lives of ethnic communities in Sap. The money is used to repair the road down to the village.
4. Some recommended places near Lao Chai – Ta Van Village
4.1. Rattan Bridge (Cau May)
Rattan Bridge is a feature structure built mainly of bamboo and rattan – May trees (the thin pliable stems of a palm, used to make furniture). Locals call this bridge Cau May because it is made of all forms of natural materials.
The Rattan Bridge lies across the Muong Hoa stream and 17 km away from Sapa City, located in the South-east of Sapa
4.2. Bac Ha Market
Bac ha Market is one of the best ethnic markets in all of Southeast Asia. We are so proud to say that. The market is held every Sunday in the center of Bac Ha town. On this special day, the ethnic minorities from the surrounding villages and hills come to socialize, eat, drink, smoke, get a haircut and buy produce and meat for the next week. They come on foot, by motor scooter, by horse, and maybe by water buffalo. It’s a very unique market scene that only Bac Ha Market can give you.
See more: Ham Rong Mountain and the romantic and poetic legend
4.3. Cat Cat Village
Cat Cat village is a village of the H’Mong community, located right at the foot of Hoang Lien Son mountain range and Fansipan peak – Where ethnic minority culture is associated with unspoiled nature, this is an appropriate address for tourists.
It is about 2km from the center of Sapa town, you can walk or go by motorbike. On the road, there are some small houses built on the side of the mountain. These houses are built based on the ancient architectural style of the local people such as: three compartments, roofed with “Pơmu” wood, each column of the houses is placed on a square stone slab. Each house has 3 doors: the main door in the middle, 1 side door in front of and 1 door behind.
4.4. Thac Bac Waterfall
Thac Bac Waterfall is one of the most attractive destinations in Sapa. Especially in the summer, people come to the waterfall to get fresh air and watch the majesty of the waterfall.
4.5. Ham Rong Mountain
Ham Rong Mountain is one of the famous destinations for tourists when traveling to Sapa. The mountain is located right in the center of Sapa town. Nowadays, Ham Rong Mountain is zoned as Ham Rong tourist area with an area of nearly 150 ha, including many beautiful sceneries such as: Orchid Garden, Heaven Gate, Cloud Garden, Dao Garden….
4.6. Sun World Fansipan Legend
Fansipan Legend is one of the highest peaks in Vietnam. Many travelers want to conquer this Indochina roof. Now you have an easier way to conquer Fansipan peak if you don’t want to climb the mountain: take the cable.
4.7. Sapa Church
Sapa Church is a catholic church with a stone belltower. The church is located in the center of Sapa town, considered the most attractive place. The church is so old and ancient because it was built in the 20th century by the French. It is also known as the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary and is a cultural house for ethnic minority communities in Sapa.
4.8. Sin Chai Village
Like Lao Chai – Ta Van Village, Sin Chai Village still retains the unspoiled beauty. This village, nearby, has become a new destination for tourists in Sapa. About 5 km from Sapa town, very close to Cat Cat village, tourist services have not yet developed much in Sin Chai village, so this place still retains the wild and mysterious scenery.
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