(HBO) –The bus runs from Hanoi along Road No. 6 north-westward to HoaBinh, the city of electricity and culture of different ethnic groups like Muong, Thai, Kinh, Dao, Mong and Tay. After passing Cunslope, the bus will reach the VuonhoanuiCoi (Coi Mount Flower Garden) cultural area in Cao Phong district, which is famous for its oranges and sugar-canes. Tourists should stop at the top of ThungKhePass to take a view of MaiChau Valley.



The valley houses villages of ethnic groups in Mai Chauwith green rice and corn fields under the mountain’s silhouette. There are stilt houses sitting at the foot of the mountain and treesalong Xia Spring. 
The valley is surrounded by high mountain ranges which now appear, now disappear among clouds. 
Arriving in Van and PomCoong villages in Mai Chau town, Lac village in ChiengChau commune and Buoc village in XamKhoe commune, visitors will be welcomed by local boys and girls in festive clothes. 
Local girls or owners of villages and families will invite tourists to admire Thai people’s wide, clean and airy stilt houses which are built from wood and bamboo. The houses have stairs at the two sides and a vast shady space below. Surrounded by orchards, the houses boast a simple but special beauty. 
Visitors will be served with special local dishes like Com lam muoivung (steamed sticky ricein bamboo tubes with sesame and salt), Cha mianuong (roasted meat with sugarcane), barbecued or boiled pork with Thai pepper, mountain chicken, multi-colour sticky rice, fish grilled in banana leaves, wild bees, ant eggs, forest bamboo shoots and Mai Ha wine. 
Vacationers can travel around villages, mountains, forests and beautiful caves such as Nuoc, Khoai, Mo Luong, Chieu and PiengKiem, and archeological sites like Long and KhauPhuc caves, along with other national relic sites. 
When it gets dark and cold, tourists are invited to join a camp-fire organised at the courtyard of the cultural house and enjoy traditional art performances. Local girls, boys and children amorously play pan-pipes, gourd lutes, double flutes and gongs. Holiday-makers also have a chance to enjoy traditional dances like sap, kengloong, nhumhua, khan (scarf), quat(fan), kepbooc, ong (pipe) and ton coog. 
Tours are available for those who are interested in exploring the life of Mong people and their traditional culture in Pa Co and Hang Kia communes, which are located 1,288 m above the sea level, with a pitch of 30-35 degrees. 
Roofed with woodor thatch, Mong people’s houses have gardens surrounded by stone walls. In the spring, Mong villages will be covered by apricot, peach, plum and Ban flowers. 
Locals exchange greetings on the way to the market with dances and sounds of pan-pines and lip lutes. 
The crowded and special village fair offers visitors wine and "thang co” (horse meat soup). Old people come to the market regularly to meet their old friends. It is a really an interesting place for visitors to experience the local life. 

                                               Bui Chi Thanh 

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