Developing Community Tourism in Ta Van Giay Village – Travel a winding mountain road about 8km south from Sapa in Vietnam’s rugged northwest, and you will reach Ta Van Commune, belonging to Lao Cai Province. This commune lies in Muong Hoa Valley, home to the widely known romantic Muong Hoa Stream.
Ta Van, in the local language, is understood as the “turning road” between two areas of Sapa District. It has a large area of cultivated land, about 6,759 ha, and the valley’s less rugged terrain is home to three ethnic communities, namely the Mong, Giay and Dao. Mong people are the most numerous, making up nearly 45% of the population, and live in the three villages of Den Thang, Xeo Me Ty, and Ta Van Mong. Giay people rank second at nearly 35% of the overall population, concentrated in Ta Van Giay Village. Dao people are the fewest, only 20% of the population, living in Giang Ta Chai Dao Village.
Photogenic scenes abound in Ta Van, most notably the ancient rocky fields, high white waterfalls, poetic streams and endless terraced fields. Ta Van is also a convenient base to visit other sites, including Lao Chai, Ta Phin and Cat Cat. Ta Van is frequently listed among the top attractions around Sapa.
Homestay tours are popular and are strongly emphasized in the tourism development plan of the local authorities. Ta Van Giay Village was chosen as the focus for homestays, with 20 ethnic Giay households all participating in homestay tourism.
Ta Van, in the local language, is understood as the “turning road” between two areas of Sapa District. It has a large area of cultivated land, about 6,759 ha, and the valley’s less rugged terrain is home to three ethnic communities, namely the Mong, Giay and Dao. Mong people are the most numerous, making up nearly 45% of the population, and live in the three villages of Den Thang, Xeo Me Ty, and Ta Van Mong. Giay people rank second at nearly 35% of the overall population, concentrated in Ta Van Giay Village. Dao people are the fewest, only 20% of the population, living in Giang Ta Chai Dao Village.
Photogenic scenes abound in Ta Van, most notably the ancient rocky fields, high white waterfalls, poetic streams and endless terraced fields. Ta Van is also a convenient base to visit other sites, including Lao Chai, Ta Phin and Cat Cat. Ta Van is frequently listed among the top attractions around Sapa.
Homestay tours are popular and are strongly emphasized in the tourism development plan of the local authorities. Ta Van Giay Village was chosen as the focus for homestays, with 20 ethnic Giay households all participating in homestay tourism.
You enter Ta Van Giay via an iron bridge crossing Muong Hoa Stream, known locally as Cloud Bridge. This name comes from the fact that in early morning, fog covers the whole stream and the bridge appears to be planted on a cloud. This scene is strikingly beautiful to witness with your own eyes.
Terraced fields cover the valley and mountainsides. Proceeding further into the village, you will be amazed at the simplicity and elegance of the traditional stilt houses. All are made of wood, separated into three compartments: the meeting room in the middle with an altar, the sleeping room on the right, and the kitchen on the left with space for food storage. In order to provide the best homestays, the stilt houses are fully equipped with a clean bathroom and toilet, under standards set by local authorities.
Local people are eager to learn hospitality skills like cooking and tidying houses, as well as speaking English to communicate better with foreign tourists.
Having meals in local households
Visitors to Ta Van Giay often enjoy going on community tours. Besides taking in the scenery, you learn about Giay culture and taste featured cuisine such as Muong Hum grilled fish, Bac Ha wild pig, and Van Ban 5 colour sticky rice. In various ceremonies and traditional games, you are cheerfully welcomed into the ethnic atmosphere and can communicate directly with local people.
Terraced fields cover the valley and mountainsides. Proceeding further into the village, you will be amazed at the simplicity and elegance of the traditional stilt houses. All are made of wood, separated into three compartments: the meeting room in the middle with an altar, the sleeping room on the right, and the kitchen on the left with space for food storage. In order to provide the best homestays, the stilt houses are fully equipped with a clean bathroom and toilet, under standards set by local authorities.
Local people are eager to learn hospitality skills like cooking and tidying houses, as well as speaking English to communicate better with foreign tourists.
Having meals in local households
Visitors to Ta Van Giay often enjoy going on community tours. Besides taking in the scenery, you learn about Giay culture and taste featured cuisine such as Muong Hum grilled fish, Bac Ha wild pig, and Van Ban 5 colour sticky rice. In various ceremonies and traditional games, you are cheerfully welcomed into the ethnic atmosphere and can communicate directly with local people.
An official art team is to be set up, composed of nearly 30 members skilled at traditional lyrics and musical performance like Then dancing, Ken playing (a local musical instrument), and Hat giao duyen (love songs sung by the youth).
Most visitors are quite impressed by the friendly attitude and warm hospitality of the Giay people in Ta Van Commune. Thus, they regret having to leave and hope to return again soon. Indeed, anyone visiting Sapa should not miss Ta Van.
Most visitors are quite impressed by the friendly attitude and warm hospitality of the Giay people in Ta Van Commune. Thus, they regret having to leave and hope to return again soon. Indeed, anyone visiting Sapa should not miss Ta Van.
Explore Ta Van Village with : A Real Life Sapa Package – 3 Days
