Located in Lao Cai province in the heart of the northwestern mountainous region of Vietnam, Bac Ha has many impressive natural landscapes and is rich in the cultural identity of ethnic minorities. It is a destination not to be missed for those who like the more peaceful and authentic stay.
Discover below the interesting activities that you should not miss in this region.
1. Discover the ethnic markets
Bac Ha is home to many ethnic minorities and offers a great cultural diversity, market days are characteristic. Meeting each other, when you live in the mountains, is a bit complicated. Market days are therefore very important, and locals who wish to go there must leave very early.
Each minority ethnic group wears its own traditional costumes and speaks its own language. The atmosphere is particularly picturesque: the mountain people in traditional colorful dresses go to the market with their horses, agricultural products and children. These ethnic minorities coming from distant hamlets sell animals (buffaloes, oxen, pigs, dogs, horses…), fruits, vegetables, forest products, basketry objects, clothes…
The market is not only a place for commercial exchanges, it is also a place for reunions and meetings. A truly authentic place where the locals still preserve their culture and traditions.
Take the opportunity to buy some souvenirs, textiles and to taste the local specialties prepared on site.
2. Se promener à pied à la rencontre des ethnies minoritaires
Bac Ha is home to 14 ethnic minorities such as: Flower Hmong, Dao, Nung, Phu La, Tay, Giay, etc… A walk on the local path to meet the Flower Hmong in traditional dress in the villages around Bac Ha allows us to see the daily life of the locals and discover the sublime landscape. The villagers are very friendly and curious about travelers coming to visit their villages.
3. Take a hike in the mountains
The surroundings of Bac Ha are dotted with small dizzying trails on the side of mountains and ethnic villages. Hiking will lead you to beautiful views of the city. Hiking among the mountains, you will pass over hills where plum trees, corn and palm trees grow. Green vegetable gardens, corn fields, rice terraces are part of the peaceful picture. You will immerse yourself in the calm and beauty of the natural, splendid, authentic landscapes of this isolated region far from mass tourism.
4. Visit the Palace of King Hoang A Tuong
Hoàng A Tuong Palace, called “Palace of the Hmong Kings”, was once considered the most powerful residence in the region. Built between 1914 and 1921, with the sweat and tears of the people and tons of opium…it has a bold French architecture combined with Tay ethnic architecture. It is maintained in a way to preserve the authenticity of the place.
5. Staying with a local
Enjoy the experience of your stay in Bac Ha by opting for a homestay in a house on stilts. Staying in a homestay means rediscovering yourself and comparing your western lifestyle with your host’s very traditional one. It is undoubtedly the best way to understand a country and its inhabitants. The dinner of local specialties with the glass of friendship (rice alcohol) and the friendly exchanges with your hosts will leave you with good memories.
6. Taste of the local gastronomy
Once in Bac Ha, you will have the opportunity to taste local culinary specialties at the markets or in local restaurants and homes, such as seven-colored sticky rice, “pho chua” (rice noodles, acid sauce, Chinese glazed pork, vegetables and herbs), tea and plums “Tam Hoa”, smoked pork but also meat fondue “Thang Co”…
Not far from Sa Pa but much less frequented by tourists than Sapa, Bac Ha seduces travelers with its ethnic markets, numerous hikes and the beauty of its authentic landscapes. It is an ideal place for a weekend in the middle of green mountains, attractive rice fields, rivers and ethnic villages.
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