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Ban Ho Village
Ban Ho Village, Vietnamese
Australian Tran Han
expressed his excitement
when he walked out of the
Lavie Stream in the scenic
village Ban Ho, more than 26
kilometers away from the
famous resort town of Sapa.
Han said swimming in the
Lavie was one of many
unforgettable memories of
his trip to northern Vietnam
earlier this year, as the
water was fresh and clean in
the stream which ran from
rocks and hills where a few
minority groups live.
Young citizens of Lao Cai
Province Vietnam and foreign
tourists often trek to Ban
Ho to indulge in the
pristine Lavie Stream, enjoy
the sweet sound of running
water from the Ca Nhay
Waterfalls and other natural
attractions of the tranquil
village.
The Lavie Stream, together
with Muong Hoa Stream,
weaves through boulders,
hills, mountains and
terraced paddy fields of Tay
village, which is nestled in
the breathtaking Valley
Muong Hoa, adding the
finishing touch to the
picturesque image of Ban Ho
Sapa.
Even though Ban Ho is not
too far from the center of
Sapa Vietnam not many
tourists have visited the
village because of the tough
approach road, which is
under construction and
slippery in the rainy
season.
However, the village is also
accessible by driving from
Sapa to Su Pan Village and
then trekking 10 kilometers
to Ban Ho. Topas is one of a
number of tour operators who
offer this one-day package,
with cost determined by the
number of participants.
Ban Ho Village, Ban Ho is
worth the somewhat difficult
journey to get there, as the
village rewards visitors
with stunning views of
unspoiled sites and an
opportunity to discover the
daily activities of the
ethnic people Tay.
On the way to the
waterfalls, which were named
by locals after seeing fish
jumping out of the water in
the old days, visitors will
pass brooks gently running
down bamboo cylinders that
locals use to channel the
water into their terraced
paddy fields, wooden houses
perched on the sides of
rolling hills and wild
flowers.
When they emerge from the
water in the dry season the
boulders and stones along
the Lavie Stream are
artworks that resemble
different figures, depending
on the imagination of
viewers. In the rainy season
from May till September
visitors can see water
flowers created by the
splashing water running into
the boulders.
The trails and roads from
Ban Ho also lead to the
quiet Red Dao Village of Nam
Toong and other ethnic
communities, where trekkers
can enjoy the best of
Northern Vietnam, such as
deep valleys, amazing
mountains and simple people. |
