Travellers looking to experience a slow pace of life should visit Hoang Thu Pho commune in the northern province of Lao Cai’s Bac Ha district.
From Bac Ha, they can take a motorbike 12km drive to reach Hoang Thu Pho to admire the beautiful landscapes there. The place is home to a large community of ethnic Mong, ancient snow tea trees and plum and peach fruits. There are imposing mountains rising to the sky and majestic forests. Hoang Thu Pho looks like a picture postcard with its immense green trees, corn and rice fields and a harmonious combination of nature and life that waits to be discovered.
The melodies of mountains and streams can be clearly heard as can the songs of birds in the jungle. Visitors should take a path leading to the centre of the commune to explore the leisurely daily life of the Mong. They can experience home-stay in their wooden houses by a stream, breathing the fresh air and admiring the wild nature. At night they can enjoy corn wine and char-grilled chicken served with cham cheo, a unique salt of the Mong, or sticky rice served with roasted chicken and ginger and grilled pig.