HUA TAT

"Fantastic! The locals are so hospitable. They are on hand to help tourists, especially foreigners, better understand H'mong culture. I love seeing women embroider multicolored patterns and listening to khen tunes."

The houses

          The village of Hua Tat - is located 20 kilometers away from the town of Moc Chau in the province of Son La. Because the village is located on the mountainous Moc Chau Plateau   (about 1100 m above sea level), the air here is cool and fresh.
It is a popular tourist attraction known for its mountains and forests in all its primitive beauty and part of the unique cultural life of the H'mong community. According to administrative records, the H'mong people account for 98% of the community in Hua Tat village. Combined with the fascinating and diverse community culture, Son La tourism will slowly but surely attract visitors. This village has about 140 households. It has been a popular tourist destination for several years.

Almost every house in the village is traditionally built, on one level and of wood. They are simple one storey houses, each house has a white mustard flower garden, filled with some plum, peach trees, and if you pass by the garden you will never see a chicken or pig hunt as such. the norm around the village. Most families still practice their traditional handicrafts, such as the preparation of corn alcohol, brocatelle, or ironwork. Tourists can spot artisan forges on site. They make, among other things, pistils, which are intended to peel the corn. If they want, they can forge a knife themselves, the forge owner can show you.

In particular, each family has a "khen" (a type of harmonica) and pestle intended to make the banh day (mashed rice cakes with a round shape that symbolizes heaven). Family members are also ready to play some traditional pieces of music to amaze visitors. Spring is the best time to visit the village as it is when plum and peach flowers are in full bloom and also the time for H'mong people to celebrate Tet. As the locals have completed cultivation by then, everyone will put on their finest, most colorful handmade clothes to enjoy the Tet festival.

Demonstration

Hua Tat has managed to keep the traditional H'mong culture almost intact. It seems far from the process of modernization and urbanization that spares no village, lower, in the plain.
It is the best time for you to enjoy the cheerful atmosphere and peaceful life of the local ethnic communities.
You can choose from various walking tours here. During such a walk of about 45 minutes you can get away from the busy city life and enjoy the refreshing and cool air of the highland plateau. If you follow the path to the top of the hill, you will see many different types of plantations and animals such as goats and buffaloes. At the end of the path, you will pass the villagers' houses and have the chance to connect with the friendly Hmong villagers.

H'mong women

The Hmong take pride in their food - balanced meals that will satisfy any person. A traditional Hmong meal usually consists of rice, a meat dish like grilled chicken, vegetables, and clear soup. The food is usually paired with drinks such as green tea and corn alcohol, which are prepared locally.

The villagers are also very friendly. Greet them with a "xin chao" (zeen chow) or "nyob zoo" (neeyore jom) and you get a smile and greetings in return. Better yet, maybe the local adults will invite you to a soccer game and spend your afternoon forging new friendships on the village's soccer field. The villagers love to have you with you and will treat you with the utmost hospitality.

Every year, the H'mong organize two major festivals: Tet nguyen dan (one month before Tet nguyen den van Kinh, the largest ethnic group) and Independence Day (September 2). On this occasion they wear their best clothes. If you come to Hua Tat on these occasions, you can participate in various activities, including traditional games such as throwing pao or tug of war ... You can also attend dances to the sound of the khen.
You can visit the village of Hua Tat in all seasons. Whether in spring, summer, autumn or winter, you will discover breathtaking panoramas and meet very hospitable residents, who will be happy to show you certain facets of their culture. Change of scenery and fresh air is a sure guarantee when visiting Hua Tat!