Buzz
In the Muong Hoa Valley, there exists a pair of rocks gracefully poised towards each other, known as the Stone Couple. Beyond their unique shapes, these rocks are intertwined with a deep and profound love legend. When traveling, don't miss this special Sapa sightseeing spot
A Touching Love Tale
Travelers who have experienced Sapa tourism certainly cannot overlook the beauty of Muong Hoa Valley – one of the renowned Sapa travel destinations. This place not only captivates with its dreamy natural landscapes but is also known for many mystical legends passed down to this day. Among these legends, the story of the Stone Couple will surely leave travelers more than moved.
According to the legend among the H'Mong people in the Hau Thao – Ta Van region, in ancient times, a fierce war unfolded in the North between two tribes. The victory went to the ruthless tribal chief and his cunning strategist.
The tribal chief had a remarkably beautiful and gentle daughter, leading the crafty strategist to scheme and possess her. However, the lovely young lady had already fallen in love with the son of the rival tribal chief defeated in the recent battle.
Before the war, the young couple was blissfully happy. Now, their love faced opposition from parents and the malicious plots of the strategist. Consequently, the duo fled south to safeguard their happiness.
Upon hearing the news, the tribal chief was furious and mobilized soldiers to pursue them. The resentful strategist cursed, saying, 'If the two youngsters reach Kim Hoa Spring and escape by the tenth night, he will choose failure. If by the eleventh day, they haven't crossed Kim Hoa Spring, the young couple will turn into stone.'
The reality unfolded as foretold. On the tenth night, the young couple reached the upper source of Kim Hoa Spring (now in the lands of Ta Van – Hau Thao). Unfortunately, the girl slipped into a muddy swamp. At that moment, the boy had crossed the swamp and, not finding the girl, turned back to search. Running a distance, exhausted, he collapsed.
At dawn, the boy turned into a stone head, facing back north – where his love was. The girl, after death, also turned into a stone head, facing south, as if still chasing after her lover. The place where they turned into stone is known as the Stone Couple, with the larger stone representing the husband and the smaller one the wife, both facing each other.
Location of the Stone Couple
Today, when visiting the historical site of the Ancient Rock Field (located in the Muong Hoa Valley, Hau Thao commune, Sa Pa district, Lao Cai province), travelers will encounter a stone figure lying beneath the muddy surface, with the head turned towards the South. About 2km away, another large stone figure appears lying prone, with the head facing North. These two stone figures are none other than the Stone Couple.
Notably, on the right and left sides of the two stone formations, small forests still thrive. Within these woods, two shrines stand—one built by the Giay ethnic group and the other by the H'Mong community—to honor the enduring love of the Stone Couple.
Currently, the historical site of the Ancient Rock Field, along with the Stone Couple, has become an essential Sapa sightseeing spot for travelers passing through this region.
