Sometimes, aimless drives lead us to the places we need to be. In the cold and misty days of Hà Giang, I stumbled upon a magnificent ancient house in the serene village of Ma Lé. The name Ma Lé triggers curiosity and sparks the imagination, conjuring visions of remote and mysterious landscapes. Hà Giang may lack many things, but it is incredibly generous to travelers, always offering beautiful days and beautiful emotions.
Visiting Ma Lé: Exploring Ancient Houses and Relaxing with Tea
General Information about Ma Lé
Exploring Ma Lé: What Does It Offer?
Discovering Ma Lé: Unraveling Its Secrets
Journeying to Ma Lé: Exploring the Ancient Giáy Village
The Ancient Giáy Village: A Hidden Gem
MALE Homestay stands as one of the intriguing stopovers if you happen to visit this ancient village. Managed by Mr. Nguyen Sy Duc, delve deeper into the rich imagery and information available on his personal page or the fan page of Male Homestay.
A panoramic view of MALE homestay.
According to the Giay people's belief, two crucial elements need consideration before building a house: the land and its orientation, as they determine the homeowner's fortune. Behind the house, there should be a support, usually leaning against a mountain or at least with a distant mountain behind to create solidity. The houses, imprinted with time, exude a solemn and beautiful aura. From the outside, MALE Homestay appears as a solid wall house with an old moss-covered tile roof. The Giay people often use stone to reinforce the foundation and the base of the walls. Various types of wood like nghien, red pine... are used to make the upper floor of the house. Stone pillars are intricately carved with motifs of animals, flowers, and leaves, bearing the familiar characteristics of the locals.
The welcoming space for guests on the ground floor of MALE Homestay.
A dreamy swing amidst a truly heartfelt space.
The upper floor of MALE Homestay is indeed a 'paradise' for free souls. The owner has arranged a cozy corner for guests to comfortably sit, sip tea, and leisurely gaze at the clouds. I particularly enjoy Ma Le on drizzly days. Sitting on the front porch, watching the mist gently draped over the mountain peaks, then embracing the chilly breeze. Switching on a warm yellow light, boiling some water, brewing a pot of snow Shan tea, adding a book, a familiar music playlist, you could sit here all day to savor the gentle feeling.
A very chill corner to sip tea and admire the sky.
A cozy space for chilly days.
The most enthusiastic staff members at MALE Homestay are Ly and Sữa, who have grown a lot since. They are both adorable and hospitable, warmly welcoming any guest who stops by. Therefore, guests who have visited here always fondly remember Ly and Sữa when they leave.
Ly and Sữa are two very friendly 'staff members'.
And if you happen to visit Ma Le on really lazy days, don't hesitate to lie lazily in front of the house with Ly and Sữa like this.
Ly lounging lazily in front of the house.
Don't forget to try the corn wine brewed by the 'host' himself.
And Ma Le also has its seasons of clouds, seasons of gentle flowers.
Ma Le is always one of the beautiful spots to admire the buckwheat flowers in autumn. Standing on the buckwheat hills in Ma Le, you can cast your eyes far to see the continuous undulating mountain ranges reaching the horizon. The terraced fields of buckwheat run diagonally on the mountain slopes, flowers blooming brightly amidst the highland sun, creating a peaceful, gentle scene. You don't need to go far, just standing here every day, you can capture beautiful photos of the natural scenery and people of Ha Giang.
Ma Le also has places to admire the beautiful sunrise and chase clouds. Take advantage of waking up early, crossing the thick fog, run along the road leading you to Ma Le, you will see a sea of floating clouds from MALE Homestay to the end of the valley. Clouds from Khe Lia flow in, thinning and floating beautifully, soft as waterfalls. Don't forget to capture beautiful photos in such a peaceful morning.
Floating mist drifts from Khe Lia to the valley.
If you come here in spring or autumn, you can also admire the vibrant flower seasons. In front of the house, cherry blossoms stretch out amidst the frost. The Hoang Lien Son range fades into the distant clouds, resembling a watercolor painting.
Cherry blossoms in front of the house.
And a gentle autumn with buckwheat blooming on the hillsides amidst the rocky plateau. You can leisurely stroll, bring along a set of travel chairs, sit comfortably here, sip tea, and admire the buckwheat.
Buckwheat fields in Ma Le.
Ma Le, though small, nestled quietly between the journey from Dong Van to Lung Cu, seldom does anyone choose to stay here. But on some beautiful day, try visiting Ma Le - you will feel a lot of love for this place!
Authors: Nguyen Sy Duc - Do Ngoc Hoai Thu
*This article participates in the Mytour Golocal program
Mytour Golocal is a blogging program introducing beautiful destinations across Vietnam as part of the Mytour Go & Share program. This is a great opportunity to promote local tourism to everyone. For each eligible article, you will receive 800,000 VND and a chance to become a Contributor with Mytour. For detailed information about the program, visit: https://trv.lk/golocal