(TITC)
- Like as smooth melody of Thai folk song “Inh la oi”, Northwestern
mountainous scenery is very majestic and charming, especially the way to
Mong Village (Hua La Commune, Son La City, Son La Province).
When
visiting the village, tourists will be immediately attracted by the
distinctive scenery constituted of spectacular mountains and rivers. The
different mountains form a stunning range that resembles a dragon
embracing Nam La River. The trees of coffee, pine, plum, apricot and
bamboo cover the sides of mountains. The village is also surrounded by
primitive forest with many precious trees and colorful orchid flowers.
In spring, all types of flowers such as apricot, plum and Ban show off
their beauty. Flying around the flowers are yellow bees making the
brilliant scenery of Mong Village more charming. And the winter is the
perfect time for vong gai flowers to bloom, filling the forest with a
bright red color. Standing out amongst that beauty is the traditional
stilt houses and cheerful Thai women with com shirt, black skirt, blue
belt…
The
village is home to more than 106 Thai households living mainly by rice
cultivation, cattle breeding and brocade weaving. The traditional
cultural values of Thai ethnic group as costumes, jewelry, cuisine,
festivals, folk dances and songs ... have been kept intactly. Mong
Village also attracts tourists by abundant hot mineral water resource.
According to scientists, average temperature of the outdoor hot mineral
stream in Mong Village is 38oC. Water is colorless, odorless with
physical, chemical characteristics and natural mineral components which
appropriate with treating some diseases of skin, rheumatism,
neuropathology, cardiovascular... In particular, water temperature
changes to seasons. In the winter, water is warmer than in the summer.
With
plentiful tourism potential, since 1997, Son La City has collaborated
with the villagers to invest and develop community-based tourism type
associated with hot mineral stream bath. To Mong Village, tourists will
see mixture beauty of tradition and modern. Entrance, roads, alleys are
always clean. The villagers also built a community culture house;
established an art team to perform Thai folk songs and dances…
Especially, all stilt houses have standard toilets and bathrooms. Vietnam Visa On Arrival
Staying
in Mong Village, tourists will have the opportunity to admire, purchase
textile, brocade products made by the villagers; especially enjoy many
local specialties as cay pinh (grilled chicken), pa pinh top (grilled
fish), forest vegetables, sticky rice…
Community-based
tourism has helped the villagers not only preserve but also promote
traditional cultural identity. With this direction, Mong Village will be
always a peaceful destination for tourists to keep away the noisy of
city.
Thu Giang
