(HBO) – About 60km northwest of Hoa Binh city, Lac village of Chieng Chau commune, Mai Chau district, is hidden among mountain ranges. It is a popular destination, especially among those who passion natural beauty and ethnic minority culture.
Foreigners tour Lac village by bicycle
Lac village is situated in Mai Chau valley and is home to Thai ethnic people.
Once here the peace and picturesque that nature has given to this place become
apparent. In the past, locals depended on farming rice and making brocades for
a livelihood. However, the village’s hidden charm has recently been explored,
particularly through increasing community-based tourism, helping turn it into a
key tourism site of Mai Chau and the northwestern region.
The number of tourists to Lac village has risen in recent years. Stilt houses
have been upgraded but still have traditional features, while 57 houses provide
homestay services in the village at present. More than 12,880 tourists,
including about 2,950 foreigners, enjoyed the services in 2016. Service quality
is improving and foreigners are not overcharged as all service prices are
publicised. Tourists in groups can rent a stilt house at 500,000 – 1 million
VND (22 – 44 USD) while single travellers can rent a room at 200,000 VND (8.8
USD).
Lang Cam Van, a student of the University of Industry, said her group with more
than 50 members rented two houses at 750,000 VND (33 USD) each. The houses were
clean while the host was very friendly, making them feel at home.
Foreign visitors enjoy coming here. They can eat traditional dishes of Thai
ethnic people such as "ga doi” (free-range chicken), "mang dang” (bitter bamboo
shoot), "ruou can” (wine drunk out of a jar by pipes), and "nep nuong” (sticky rice
grown in hills). Daniel, a tourist from
New Zealand, said: "I love the food
here, especially "com lam” (bamboo-tube rice). This is the first time I seen
rice is cooked in a special way. The sticky rice in combination with coconut
and the typical fragrance of bamboo tubes create a perfect dish. We are not
confused by the language because local people could communicate in English
fluently. We also had a brocade weaving experience and joined art performances.
We made a lot of unforgettable memories in this place.”
Head of the Lac hamlet Ha Cong Hong said tourism is the main source of income
for locals at present. The previous year’s average per capita income was
estimated at 27 million VND. We are always aware of improving service quality
to attract visitors. Social order and security are ensured. We plan to build a
tourism development project and create flower gardens for visitors to take
photos.
According to Hong, locals understand that a good environment will boost
community-based tourism. Households clean the streets and dredge the sewers.
However, there are no effective measures to treat waste, with most rubbish
burnt. Local communes have encouraged families to contribute money to hire an
environment company to collect garbage.
Dong Huong
On February 12th (i.e. Lunar January 15), the People's Committee of Hop Tien commune, Kim Boi district organized the Festival of Sim Pagoda Festival in At Ty Spring, 2025. The festival welcomed many people and tourists to visit the pagoda and enjoy the scenery.
The palanquin procession to Sim Pagoda.
As Hoa Binh province is set to host 115 spring festivals, local departments, sectors and localities are joining hands to ensure safety for the events.
In many major cultural events in Hanoi, the sound of the Muong people's gongs has become a special tone, contributing to the unique harmony that praises the cultural values accumulated over thousands of years along with the sacred soul of the capital city.
On the first day back to work and school after the Lunar New Year holiday, thousands of female officials, civil servants, and students from grade nine and above in Lac Son district proudly wore the traditional Muong attire. The vibrant brocade patterns created a striking cultural display, reinforcing the community's commitment to preserving and promoting their heritage.
The provincial-level Khai Ha festival 2025 of the Muong ethnic minority group took place at Phong Phu commune’s stadium in Tan Lac district of Hoa Binh province on the morning of February 5 (the 8th day of the first lunar month of the Year of the Snake).
"Xuong Dong” (going to the field) festival opened in Yen Phu commune of Hoa Binh’s Lac Son district on February 5, or the eighth day of the Year of the Snake, drawing thousands of locals and visitors to partake in a variety of activities.
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