The road leading to Ta Van Giay Village near Sa Pa.

Get off the bus and take a day to wander around one of Sa Pa’s traditional villages on foot…

Ta Van Giay Village is a walkable 10 kilometers from the town center of Sa Pa. Following zigzag paths along the base of the Hoang Lien Son Mountains, Ta Van Giay Village appears out of nowhere, plain and unaffected – the ideal spot to look into local life.

Ta Van Giay Village was established by the Giay people, who traditionally lived along rivers in the foothills and valleys around the villages of Luong, Ban and Muong.

The Giay have been heavily influenced by the cultures of the Tay and Thai people. The colors of the Tay and Thai are present in the Giay language, dress and some traditional activities.

The Giay’s main economic activity is wet rice cultivation, but the group is also known for its engraving trade. Households forge their own furnaces to make tools and silver. Families live in both stilt and non-stilt houses and always reserve a section of the house for ancestor worship as well as a spot for greeting guests. The Giay are also known for their rich folk culture: a treasure of fairy tales, poetry, proverbs, riddles and children’s songs.

Tourism is now one of Ta Van Giay’s economic strengths.

Under the encouragement of the government of Lao Cai Province, Ta Van Giay has established home stay services with comfortable accommodation.

A highlight of visiting Ta Van Giay is the original cuisine. Savory dishes like Muong Hum grilled fish, Muong Khuong horsemeat hotpot soup, Bac Ha curried free-range pig and the Van Ban five-color steamed sticky rice are not to be missed.

Reported by Kim