Attractive appointment point
At an altitude of more than 1,000m above sea level, Hang Kia - Pa Co (old Mai Chau district), now in Pa Co commune, Phu Tho province, has a year-round cool climate. The clouds hover near the cliff, sometimes rolling up like waves, sometimes soft as the eye. People call this a " fairy tale" and it is not wrong, because when you step out of the porch, there is a magical valley of clouds in front of you.
Early in the morning, we left Y Mua homestay, Hang Kia hamlet. At 5 o'clock, the fog was still on the hair of people who were passionate about the beautiful scenery of the Northwest. The road leads to the cloud hunting spot between the brilliant flower fields, with drops of dragon and dragon fog sticking to each wing. In just 20 minutes, a rustic wooden bridge appeared, like a key to open the door to enter the sea of clouds.
The dawn gradually rose, the light spread a warm pink layer to the sky, then turned silvery yellow. When the sun rises from the top of the mountain, white clouds roll, watching and embracing each green hillside. According to local people, the best time to "go hunting" is from 5 to 10 am. That is when the clouds are still thick and not torn by the sunlight.
But Pa Co is not just about clouds. In spring, plum blossoms and apricot blossoms cover the whole village, pinking with ancient peach trees. In the summer season, the forest is lush green, the sound of streams flowing rapidly. In autumn, the golden sunlight spreads over the hillsides, and the leaves begin to color. When winter comes, the fog covers the path, the village seems to be hidden in the water paintings.
Here, every day seems to have all four seasons. The morning is cold, the afternoon is sunny, the afternoon is light wind, the evening is foggy and cold. It is that change that makes people fascinated, both familiar and new.
In addition to cloud hunting, visitors can also participate in short trekking trips, picnicking along the stream, or learning to blow the flute and dance in traditional o'clock. Each experience brings an unforgettable impression, because it comes from the heart and hospitality of the local people.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy Nga, a tourist from Ninh Binh province, shared: "The first time I came, there were too many things to stall on. The pristine, beautiful natural scenery left me with many emotions. In particular, the friendly and hospitable Mong community allowed us to participate in painting beeswax, dyeing fabric....
Community tourism - a new way of life in H'Mong village
Pa Co is the home of the H'Mong people in the old Hoa Binh, now in Phu Tho province, the hospitable and unique people. In the stove, suspected to be smoking, guests were invited to a cup of fragrant corn wine, eating fatty pork chops. sticky rice with sticky rice, chicken with free hills, forest bamboo shoots... all retain the flavors of the mountains and forests.
The craft of brocade weaving, indigo dyeing, beeswax painting, Do paper making... is still appreciated by the people. colorful dresses are not only worn during festivals, but are also the "soul" of every family. Many tourists are willing to buy a few meters of brocade fabric or a handkerchief woven by the H'Mong people themselves, as if carrying part of the memories of the mountains and forests.
pa Co now not only has beautiful clouds, but also has a primitive and attractive HMong cultural life, said Mr. Tran Van Truyen, Chairman of the Peoples Committee of Pa Co commune, Phu Tho province.
"We have encouraged people to establish community tourism cooperatives, both to preserve culture and create more livelihoods. Tourism products are expanded: Exchange night market, cloud hunting tours, experience making sticky rice cakes, camping to see the stars..., Mr. Truyen added.
In recent years, along with support from the locality and programs and projects to support ethnic minority and mountainous areas, roads to hamlets and villages have been concreted. Y Mua Homestay, Hang Kia hamlet is now more spacious, with a hot and cold bathroom, stable Wi-Fi, clean kitchen, enough to welcome the entire international group.
Customers here are often fascinated by the cloud scenery and cultural experiences. Some people stay all week just to watch the clouds and live slowly, said Ms. Sung Y Mua, the homestay owner, laughing gently.
Not only focusing on welcoming guests, Pa Co also aims to do sustainable tourism. Homestays limit plastic waste, encourage visitors to bring personal water bottles. People collect dried leaves and livestock manure to grow as organic manure, serving the growing of vegetables and flowers around the house. Some families grow additional types of suitable for the soil such as peach, plum, and pear, not only to sell fruit but also to preserve the landscape for tourists to take photos.
Community tourism in H'Mong village also brings social benefits: Reducing child marriage, preventing evil, preserving good customs, eliminating superstitious customs. People have more income and pride in their village.
Children now go to school fully. Some children also work as tour guides, take visitors on long walks, and tell stories about their hometown's customs in Chinese, but they are full of confidence.
A dream in the sky
Hang Kia - Pa Co ancient, Pa Co today still retains the pristine beauty of the mountains and forests, but has put on a new coat. The clouds are still flowing, the flowers are still blooming, the sound of the flute is still echoing. But in that story, there is now more laughter from tourists from all over the world, the footsteps of those who come to live slowly, to touch a fairy tale land.
And perhaps, anyone who has ever stood at this "gateway to heaven", looking at the white clouds surrounding the mountain, brings themselves a dream - a dream that comes back, to once again get lost between the sea of clouds and the smiles of the H'Mong people here.
