I’m a photography enthusiast, and the landscapes in Northwest Vietnam seem incredible for capturing scenic views. Are there any specific spots that are particularly photogenic...
From Ha Giang city centre, driving along the road to Thanh Thuy International Gate about 5 km, visitors will come across Tha village. Located in Phuong Do commune, Ha Giang city, Tha village appears with its traditional, pristine and charming beauty. As the residence of the Tay ethnic minority, Tha village offers tranquillity and silence with rustic houses on stilts looming over rice paddies and verdant palm hills. The romantic landscape and rich cultural identity will certainly be attractive enough to any travellers once arriving in the village.
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1. The beauty of Tha village
Passing through the gateway of Tha - the Culture and Tourism Village located on the axis of National Highway 2, visitors will be immersed in an extremely wide space with rows of bamboo whispering in the wind and immense green paddy fields. Only a few kilometres from the Ha Giang city centre, you feel like you are stepping to another land without noise, dust and traffic jams, even the skyscrapers close to each other. Walking around the village, tourists will feel the cool fresh air and the fresh aroma of young rice lingering in the breeze, which are the secret charm of the Tha village.
A homestay for tourist to stay overnight
2. The house of the Tay ethnic group in Tha village
In addition to the beautiful natural scenery, Tha village also attracts tourists for its unique traditional culture that is well preserved by the locals. The pretty houses on stilts, which lean against the mountain, are prominent over the green tree background. Each of more than 100 houses on stilts in Tha village keep its own cultural value. The house is supported by a solid wooden structure with very large inner space divided into compartments with different functions. The central space is dedicated to the ancestors while the side spaces served as a living room, sleeping area and furniture storage. The characteristic feature of dwelling in Tha village is that they are all covered with palm leaves, making the house more airy and more graceful. When the villagers cook, the thin grey smoke charmingly flies up and sinks into the air, which is quite nostalgic.
The serene rural landscapes
3. The traditional craft of Tha villagers
So far Tha villagers still practise traditional brocade weaving and make items such as bags, towels, clothes,... in their leisure time. By walking and discovering the village, you can glimpse the grandmothers, mothers and sisters sitting beside the loom, quickly swinging the shuttle, weaving the extremely sophisticated patterns on the dark blue indigo brocade. According to elders, embroidery and sewing are among the criteria for assessing the character, morality, ingenuity and diligence of a Tay ethnic girl. Therefore, Tay ethnic girls followed their mothers into the fields to plant cotton from very young. When they are growing older, they will be taught spinning cotton, weaving and embroidering. In their spare time, women are busy preparing cotton, indigo, and looms to weave traditional clothes and produce brocaded items such as curtains, blankets, curtains, baby carriers, handbags, textile shoes, etc. for selling as souvenirs. Because of the sophisticated, authentic patterns, the traditional embroidery products handmade from local peoples have become favourite among tourists.
The palm tree forests cover the high hill
4. The rustic kitchen
The kitchen is considered a last piece for the cultural beauty of community tourism in Tha village. Setting foot at the beautiful house on stilts, visitors can enjoy special dishes such as smoked black pork, fermented meat, fish cooked with sour bamboo shoots, shredded chicken, sticky rice cooked in bamboo tubes, five colours sticky rice, etc... Tasting the flavour of traditional dishes comes from spices including cardamom, cinnamon, star anise,... mixed with savour from a cup of wine while sitting beside a cosy stove would be a new experience for diners.
Tha villagers harvesting peanuts
The most unique things of the traditional stilt houses which still remain intact, along with the typical dishes of the Tay people, are the advantages of Tha village to develop community tourism and become a favourite place for tourists over the years. The peaceful and rustic beauty of Tha village, the hospitality and authentic cultural characteristics of the Tay community will surely leave a good impression in the hearts of tourists in the memorable northeast Vietnam trip.
To see more about Ha Giang:
>> The Mysterious Hmong King Palace in Ha Giang
>> Quan Ba Heaven Gate : a Famous Scenic Spot of Ha Giang
