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Are you an 'expert' or a 'rookie' when it comes to discussing the cultural richness of Northwest Vietnam? Join Klook Vietnam to explore a plethora of fascinating information about the hottest destinations in the travel enthusiast's handbook.
From Dien Bien, Yen Bai to Lao Cai, it's safe to say that travelers have never ceased to be in awe of the enchanting natural treasures and unique traditional beauty found in the provinces located in Northwest Vietnam. Simply admiring is not enough; let's delve into how well-versed you are in the intriguing facts about the Northwest culture.
But First, Which Provinces Comprise the Northwest Region?
According to information from Vietnamnet, the Northwest region of Vietnam comprises seven provinces: Hoa Binh, Son La, Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Yen Bai, Phu Tho, and Lao Cai, bordering Laos and China.
The 'identifying feature' of the Northwest is its extensive stretch of high rocky mountains, running deeply northwest to southeast, creating numerous valleys and mysterious caves. Most prominent is the Hoang Lien Son range, 30km wide and 180km long, with some areas reaching an impressive height of 3,000m. It would be a significant oversight to overlook the renowned Fansipan Mountain – marking the 'roof of Indochina' at 3,143m above sea level. Conquering the summit of Fansipan via the Sun World Fansipan Legend cable car and exploring the unique spiritual complex amidst the misty mountains is a delightful pursuit for many #teamKlook travelers when visiting Sapa.
The extensive river system in Northwest Vietnam is widely distributed, flowing through limestone plateaus, creating impressive natural landscapes. When it comes to the culture of the Northwest, one immediately thinks of the Da River - famously depicted by writer Nguyen Tuan as 'The grandeur of the Da River is not just the waterfalls. It's also the rocky scenes along the river banks, with towering cliffs, where the sun only shines directly at noon. There are cliffs along the Da River like a commanding officer's decree. Standing on this side of the bank, lightly throw a stone across to the other side. There was once a deer or a tiger that leaped from this bank to the other'. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that the Da River represents the typical beauty of the Northwest, which is spacious, lively, and somewhat unpredictable.
Unlocking the Cultural Region of Northwest Vietnam with Many Fascinating Facts
- If the Kinh people have Valentine's Day, then the ethnic minorities in the Northwest often make promises to each other at the Love Market. This is a famous traditional activity in spring, when everyone eagerly buys new clothes, trades, shops, strolls, and talks about love during the most beautiful time of the year. In Sapa, tourists can participate in the Love Market every Saturday, usually held near the Stone Church close to the Central Square.
- Traditional attire is a beloved cultural beauty for many tourists when exploring the Northwest. Don't think that you have to wear elaborate, colorful outfits to fit in. In reality, the attire of Northwest people is diverse in design, colors, and materials. While the H'Mong people love red, blue, yellow, and purple colors with intricate handwoven patterns, the Tay people prefer simplicity with black garments and silver accessories. The Red Dao people captivate tourists with designs inspired by the earth, sky, and native birds.
- The Si La people use hats (conical hats) to distinguish the marital status of women; married women wear black hats, while single women wear white hats. The Dao people believe that all things in the world possess souls; they often use masks of deities and demons during festivals to drive away negative energies. The Nung Din people believe that 'the buffalo is the foundation of one's livelihood'. Therefore, they often knot their headscarves into horn-like shapes on their heads, partly creating a unique feature for ethnic costumes, partly praying for a bumper crop season.
- Thang Co is one of the most famous delicacies in Northwest Vietnam, made from horse meat, horse fat, horse organs, and a small amount of... horse dung. The tough yet tender horse meat combined with unique spices like cinnamon, cardamom, star anise, and grilled lemon leaves create an irresistibly aromatic and flavorful dish. Nowadays, to cater to the tastes of tourists, Thang Co has variations made from beef, goat, and pork, omitting the horse dung ingredient. Most Thang Co dishes are sold in large portions, but you can also buy individual servings at the Sapa Market. Men men is also a representative specialty of the highland cuisine in Northwest Vietnam. Made from corn, men men has a naturally sweet taste and is often eaten with thang co and grilled chili peppers.
- During the year-end, many people often head to the Northern mountainous region to witness the 'snowfall in the tropics' phenomenon. To admire the most glittering snowfall scenes, make sure to jot down the following locations in your travel notebook: Tay Con Linh, Ha Giang, Phia Oac - Cao Bang, Dong Van, Meo Vac (Ha Giang), Mau Son, Lang Son, and Sapa, Lao Cai.
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