Muong Te four day cultural loop
Experience code: MuongTe
A nation's culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people.
Duration: 3 days
Departure time: 8.30am - 9.30am
Return Time: Before Dusk
Difficulty: Easy
Route: Sapa - Lai Chau - Sin Ho - Muong Te
Departure time: 8.30am - 9.30am
Return Time: Before Dusk
Difficulty: Easy
Route: Sapa - Lai Chau - Sin Ho - Muong Te
Highlights:
Spend time with the Dao Tuyển, Red Hmong, La Hủ and Pink Ha Nhi ethnic minorities.
This is a car based experience, with approximately 600km of driving over the course of four days. There is the option of some trekking on day two.
Spend time with the Dao Tuyển, Red Hmong, La Hủ and Pink Ha Nhi ethnic minorities.
This is a car based experience, with approximately 600km of driving over the course of four days. There is the option of some trekking on day two.
Background:
Lai Châu Province is unlike any other area of Vietnam. Not only is it the most sparsely populated are in Vietnam but it was also once a semi-independent White Tai confederation known as Sipsongchuthai. This was absorbed by France into French Indochina in the 1880s and subsequently became part of Vietnam following Vietnamese independence in 1954. This is reflected in the great cultural diversity seen today.
Lai Châu has long been the poorest province in Vietnam. It is also the least developed. The scenery of some of the most spectacular scenery you can see in all of Vietnam. Epic limestone mountains stretch out in every direction, many are lined with ancient forest. Valleys are planted with corn, rice or neat little tea plantations.
With an elevation similar to that of Sapa, Sin Ho is one of the highest settlements in all of Vietnam. The district is home to Hmong and Dao people.Whilst Sapa is a famous mountain retreat, enormously popular with Vietnamese and foreign tourists. Sin Ho, on the other hand, is hardly ever visited by travellers. These two highland towns are connected by lofty mountain passes which afford spectacular views, on a scale not found anywhere else in Vietnam.
Sin Ho district contains 1 township and 21 communes. Mountain roads provides views over ridges, farmland, ethnic minority villages and clear rivers are superb. The district offers beautiful off the beaten track treks and cultural exchanges with local ethnic minorities.
Muong Te is a new township and the wider district is home to the Si La, La Hủ, Hmong and Ha Nhi ethnic minorities. Numbering less than 10,000, the La Hủ have one of the smallest populations of the ethnic minority groups in Vietnam. Living a semi nomadic lifestyle until 1996, many La Hủ are still active hunters in the dense forests of the far North Western mountains. Recently, their lives changed immeasurably with relocation due to hydro-electricity projects and the decision to convert to permanent settlements. The La Hủ now live in three villages in Muong Te District of Lai Chau. Most households now grow dry rice and corn.
The La Hủ wear their traditional costumes which consists of a black, long-sleeved jacket reaching down to the ankles. The middle and lower front part of the jacket is decorated with thin red bands, while the sleeves are banded red. Headdresses are very colourful and made of bright pompoms. The La Hủ also make very unique, intricately designed conical hats from bamboo.
Lai Châu Province is unlike any other area of Vietnam. Not only is it the most sparsely populated are in Vietnam but it was also once a semi-independent White Tai confederation known as Sipsongchuthai. This was absorbed by France into French Indochina in the 1880s and subsequently became part of Vietnam following Vietnamese independence in 1954. This is reflected in the great cultural diversity seen today.
Lai Châu has long been the poorest province in Vietnam. It is also the least developed. The scenery of some of the most spectacular scenery you can see in all of Vietnam. Epic limestone mountains stretch out in every direction, many are lined with ancient forest. Valleys are planted with corn, rice or neat little tea plantations.
With an elevation similar to that of Sapa, Sin Ho is one of the highest settlements in all of Vietnam. The district is home to Hmong and Dao people.Whilst Sapa is a famous mountain retreat, enormously popular with Vietnamese and foreign tourists. Sin Ho, on the other hand, is hardly ever visited by travellers. These two highland towns are connected by lofty mountain passes which afford spectacular views, on a scale not found anywhere else in Vietnam.
Sin Ho district contains 1 township and 21 communes. Mountain roads provides views over ridges, farmland, ethnic minority villages and clear rivers are superb. The district offers beautiful off the beaten track treks and cultural exchanges with local ethnic minorities.
Muong Te is a new township and the wider district is home to the Si La, La Hủ, Hmong and Ha Nhi ethnic minorities. Numbering less than 10,000, the La Hủ have one of the smallest populations of the ethnic minority groups in Vietnam. Living a semi nomadic lifestyle until 1996, many La Hủ are still active hunters in the dense forests of the far North Western mountains. Recently, their lives changed immeasurably with relocation due to hydro-electricity projects and the decision to convert to permanent settlements. The La Hủ now live in three villages in Muong Te District of Lai Chau. Most households now grow dry rice and corn.
The La Hủ wear their traditional costumes which consists of a black, long-sleeved jacket reaching down to the ankles. The middle and lower front part of the jacket is decorated with thin red bands, while the sleeves are banded red. Headdresses are very colourful and made of bright pompoms. The La Hủ also make very unique, intricately designed conical hats from bamboo.
Notes:
Whilst Sapa is a famous mountain retreat, enormously popular with Vietnamese and foreign tourists. Sin Ho and Muong Te on the other hand, are hardly ever visited by travellers. As a result, hotel accommodation is comfortable, but basic. Rooms are en suite with reasonable sized beds, firm mattresses and mosquito nets.
Food options are limited but fresh local ingredients ensures that quality is high. Expect rice and noodle based meals for the duration of the trip. Sin Ho also has a small bakery of this is more to your taste.
Whilst Sapa is a famous mountain retreat, enormously popular with Vietnamese and foreign tourists. Sin Ho and Muong Te on the other hand, are hardly ever visited by travellers. As a result, hotel accommodation is comfortable, but basic. Rooms are en suite with reasonable sized beds, firm mattresses and mosquito nets.
Food options are limited but fresh local ingredients ensures that quality is high. Expect rice and noodle based meals for the duration of the trip. Sin Ho also has a small bakery of this is more to your taste.