Sin Suoi Ho Village : Hidden gem in the heart of Lai Chau

Around 30 km from the city of Lai Chau, Sin Suoi Ho, a community-based tourism village in Phong Tho district, is located at an altitude of almost 1,500 meters at the foot of Son Bac May mountain.

In 2015, Sin Suoi Ho was recognized as a community-based tourism village attracting domestic and international tourists. According to data from the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Lai Chau, Sin Suoi Ho village is now a bright spot in the development of community tourism, which has helped to significantly improve local living standards. Over the course of the two years following the pandemic of COVID-19, the village attracted an average of 30,000 visitors, including travellers from 15 different countries, namely the US, Australia, and Canada.

The majority of the inhabitants residing in this village are Mong ethnic people. In the Mong language, Sin Suoi Ho signifies "golden stream", evoking the image of a small, tranquil village amidst fruit trees, waterfalls, and babbling streams all night and day. Visiting this village at any moment of the year, visitors can take in the picturesque scenery and explore the traditional customs of the Mong people, which have been passed down from generations to generations until this day.

As you approach the village, you will encounter a large number of traditional Mong houses constructed mainly of wood and earth. The village's well-maintained roads are dotted with flowers and trees, giving you the impression of being in the midst of unspoiled nature. There are also numerous signposts and disposal stations with lovely messages that help to keep the community clean and orderly.

The authorities, as well as the villagers of Sin Suoi Ho, are strongly urging visitors not to give money or even sweets to local children, as they believe that over time this act will spoil the children and hinder the preservation of cultural traditions.

According to Mr. Vang A Chinh, head of the village, to enable Sin Suoi Ho village to evolve into what it is today, he first had to start refurbishing his own house before convincing the villagers to follow his example. He also mentioned that twenty years ago, Sin Suoi Ho was an impoverished village and was home to many drug addicts. However, the number of drug addicts has been falling steadily since 2005. Thanks to the positive effects coming from the development of community tourism, the village is now free of drug addicts and alcoholics. After fifteen years in what was initially a financially difficult area, the village's income has witnessed a significant increase owing to tourism and the sale of regional products such as brocade, cardamom, orchids, and products made of bamboo and rattan.

The diverse cultural and spiritual life of the locals also plays a factor in attracting visitors. The most special are the traditional festivals with typical features such as the G?u Tào festival, the most important festival of the Mong’s community, held in early spring to express gratitude to Heaven and Earth and pray for good luck and happiness in the new year, and L? M?ng Lúa M?i (new rice ceremony). The women of the village still wear and weave traditional linen garments. Meanwhile, traditional crafts such as brocade embroidery, winemaking, knitting, and forging are still well preserved and practiced, providing stable incomes.

Making the most of the favorable climate and unique cultural identity, the locals focus on developing community tourism. At present, in Sin Suoi Ho, there are over 20 households engaged in homestay businesses. Each homestay has a welcome gate made of wood with a unique shape as a distinguishing feature, with telephone numbers, services, and the owner's name woven with rope or rattan. As well as providing accommodation, the locals also offer catering services, artistic performances, act as tour guides, and sell Mong ethnic brocade.

Mr. Chinh added that families who don't have enough financial resources to turn their houses into homestays will grow vegetables, raise pigs and chickens, which will be used as ingredients for tourists' meals.

The market opens every Saturday morning. Along both sides of the road leading to the village and the market are thousands of Cymbidium orchid pots, another source of income for the villagers. The village's favourable soil and pleasant environment make it an ideal place for cymbidiums growth. By growing and selling this flower to visitors, many families in the village noticed a considerable rise in their income. In addition, people also grow many peach blossoms, roses, and hawthorn flowers.

The village is encircled by majestic mountains and terraced fields. From here, visitors can embark on rather leisurely expeditions to summit peaks like Bach Moc Luong Tu or Ta Lien. You can also chase the clouds and admire the golden rice paddies during the harvest season.

Thác Trái Tim (Heart waterfall) is located in the old-growth forest of Sin Suoi Ho village and is totally enclosed by rocky mountains on all four sides. In order to facilitate tourists' journeys, the villagers have placed stones along the walkways leading to the waterfall. There are two walking pathways, each of which is shaded with old trees and vines. The distance between the settlement and the waterfall is approximately 800 meters. Bear in mind that it's easier to take the upper path than the lower one.

The village of Sin Suoi Ho has attracted both domestic and foreign tourists thanks to its magnificent natural scenery, its authentic ethnic identity, and the hospitality of its inhabitants. Although it has only recently entered the tourism industry, this place has become an outstanding example of community-based tourism in Lai Chau province and, hopefully, soon in the north-western region of Vietnam, mainly thanks to the deliberate, conscientious, and competent approach of its inhabitants.

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