Explore the calm daily lives and the simplistic beauty of the peaceful Cam Thanh, a colourful small village close to Hoi An.
Hop on a car and travel 60 kilometers northwest to Lao Cai and head toward a market close to the borders of China. The trip starts off on easy roads before continuing onto the bumpy roads of Lao Cai. Before long, you will reach Muong Hum market, a local marketplace situated 35 kilometers from China and Vietnam’s Y Ty border. Unlike other markets, Muong Hum is located on an open flat land, deep in the lower part of a stunning scenic valley adorned with terraced fields. The area comes to life every Sunday, gathering a variety of ethnic groups such as the Ha Nhi, Phu La, Tu Di, Black Dao, Giay, Red Hmong and Black Hmong together at one place. You can easily tell the tribal people apart by the clothes they wear - for instance, the Hmong (both the Flower Hmong and Black Hmong) are usually dressed in more colorful costumes than the Dao and Ha Nhi. The vibrancy of colors on the dresses light up the whole valley and brightens up the already lively market.
The market itself is divided into different sections and you can find almost anything in the market. If you come to the market hungry, make a stop at the delightful food stalls and try out the local food made by the locals and if you are looking for souvenirs for your friends and family, maybe stop at the fabric and brocade section. From cheap printed clothes and ornaments to handcrafted ones, you will find a selection of different items available. If you are here to see the unique feature of mountainous markets of Lao Cai and the ethnic groups, make sure to also visit the animal section of the market. Hens, dogs, buffalo, even horses all gather together while people carefully examine each of them. Mind you, these animals also play a significant role in ensuring the smooth living of the locals.
After a full morning exploration of the market, recharge your energy with some delicious lunch at a local restaurant. Take a short break before hitting the road and continuing your adventure. Next, you will be visiting the Ha Nhi people residing on the Lao Cai hillside. The Ha Nhi people are masters when it comes to shaping hillsides into verdant rice fields. They are also skilled at choosing the water source and digging canals that lead to their fields. The unending rice fields also add to the sheer beauty of the picturesque village. The tribe is also known as one of the best ethnic groups at producing textiles and brocade with colorful and vibrant patterns. Ever since their childhood, children have been taught to keep their culture alive and it is not weird to see children weaving through the afternoon or helping their father tend the field. However, the most unique feature of them is that they live in a clay house - feel free to ask the villagers about how it feels to live in such a unique house.
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Refer to the map below to see a list of pick up location(s) that are available for you to choose from. You can select your desired pick up location when you book the tour.
List of Location(s):
Pick up is also available for other location(s) under the vicinity of Sa Pa. For more information, please contact Adventoro's concierge service.
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