La Pan Tan is a very attractive destination in Mu Cang Chai, Vietnam. It can be said that almost everyone who wants to travel to this land chooses La Pan Tan Vietnam as a must-see destination. So what to see in La Pan Tan, Mu Cang Chai which attract so many tourists? Here will be the answer for you.
As a small commune in Mu Cang Chai district, Yen Bai province, Vietnam, La Pan Tan has the border with Che Cu Nha and Cao Pha communes to the north, Cao Pha to the east, Pung Luong to the south, De Xu Phinh and Che Cu Nha to the west. It is recognized as a place where the most terraced rice fields are located in Mu Cang Chai with 700 hectares. This land has a cool climate with an average annual temperature around 19 degrees Celsius. The rainy season starts in April and ends in August. Its main population is the H'mong ethnic minority.
In the past, La Pan Tan people were so poor and used to be the "capital" of opium with 80% of the population being drug addicts and 100% of the families were poor. However, thanks to the diligent labour power and innovative thinking, the H'mong ethnic people have raised income, settled life and day by day turned their homeland into one of Vietnam's famous tourist destinations.
For a long time, La Pan Tan has been a renowned place with beautiful terraced rice fields that fascinate people the most. In the mature rice season, tourists, especially photography lovers, flock there to enjoy the beautiful scenery and capture the precious moments. If you are a lover of nature and beauty, La Pan Tan will be a must-see place.
The most ideal time to travel to La Pan Tan is in the autumn, from late September to late October. At that time, the ripe rice covered all the terraces of Mam Xoi. The weather is extremely pleasant with clear and blue high sky, the cool and very airy atmosphere.
According to many experienced travellers who have been to La Pan Tan, admiring the rice terraces on Mam Xoi at sunrise is an unforgettable experience. Imagine, amidst the majestic landscape, the subtle rays of the morning sun creeping through the fanciful mist scattered over the vast sea of yellow rice. Everything blends with the atmosphere of the mountains and forests, the songs of the birds, the feeling of being lost in a certain fairy tale country on a good morning.
Taking photos of the Rice Tray Viewpoint Mam Xoi
Even the sunset also covers the fields of Mam Xoi amazing colours, offering enchanting beauty. So you can visit Mam Xoi any time of the day. The purple colour of the sun as it sets, tinged with the yellow of ripe rice, will make the scene more peaceful and poetic than ever. This is also the time to fully admire the beauty of the hill mixed with the typical aroma of ripe rice floating in the afternoon breeze.
Peaceful life in La Pan Tan
If you want to view Mam Xoi and La Pan Tan at sunset and sunrise the next morning, you can stay overnight in a homestay in Kim Noi ethnic Thai village.
Pu Nhu Waterfall is located in La Pan Tan commune, only 10 km west of the centre of Mu Cang Chai. Only 1.5 km from National Road 32, but somehow Pu Nhu is cleverly hidden so that people cannot see it from the main road. It will be a challenge for those who want to learn and explore nature.
Pu Nhu is divided into many different steps, where the flowing forms white foam. On sunny days, each ray of sun shines on the surface of the water creating a colourful but strangely peaceful watercolour. The murmur of the waterfall is in harmony with the sound of the mountains and forests, like a symphony created by nature itself, unique and wonderful.
A watercolour painting in the northwest mountains
On summer days, perhaps Pu Nhu is an ideal place to escape the heat. The highest annual temperature in the waterfall area is only about 26 degrees Celsius, very cool. At the foot of the waterfall is the Rong Lake (Dragon Lake). According to H'mong legend, an ancient dragon in this lake sprayed the water currents to form the waterfall. As it still slept peacefully at the bottom of the lake, this lake was very sacred. In the past, no one dared to swim there. However, since Pu Nhu has been put into operation for tourism, many tourists have refreshed themselves by swimming in the clear water.
Soaking in the cool water of the Pu Nhu waterfall
Besides the beautiful natural scenery, La Pan Tan is also known for its renowned rice liquor, one of the typical drinks of the northwest mountains.
The artisanal craft of making rice liquor of the H'mong people has been practised for a long time. Almost every H'mong family knows how to make it, passing it down from generation to generation. Method of making liquor is completely manual using cast iron pan, wooden pot, local rice and homemade yeast, therefore La Pan Tan rice liquor has a very unique flavour. The winemaker must be very meticulous when choosing the type of rice and water, which must be taken from the rocky ravine.
The H’mong people make rice alcohol
The alcohol concentration of this drink is very high, but it tastes smooth, fragrant, sweet and easy to drink. If you get drunk, you won't have a headache or hangover after waking up like Vodka or Gin.
Taste this flavour of the Northwestern mountains and forests to know more about the culture of the H'mong ethnic minority.
After admiring the magnificent terraced fields, soaking in the cool waterfall, and having a sip of rice wine, you should definitely treat yourself to some beautiful woven ethnic products.
Bamboo weaving has long been a traditional profession of the H'mong ethnic group in La Pan Tan, perhaps partly because they grew up, surrounded by vast forests of rattan and bamboo. Therefore, their souls have always been covered with simplicity and familiarity of nature. That is reflected by their woven products that are very elaborately and meticulously made by artisans, clearly showing ethnic features such as rice baskets, trays, etc.
Bringing some woven items of the Hmong home after your trip to La Pan Tan to keep in mind your experiences here and pleasant memories with the local people.
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