(VOVworld) - Chieng Di, a small village of the Mong ethnic minority group in Chieng Yen commune, Son La province, is a popular tourist destination. Today we’ll visit the village to explore the daily life of the locals and admire their beautiful forest flowers.

The road to Chieng Di is not navigable by car.  On both sides of the road to the village are blossoming peach trees. Vu Thuy is a tourist from Hanoi:  “The village is not far from Hanoi. Its landscape is almost unspoiled. Spending a day with the Mong and experiencing their daily activities is interesting. I like to come here and enjoy the tranquility”. When you arrive in Chieng Di, you will definitely be the guest of honor of all the villagers. They will invite you to the home of Vang A Chu, the village patriarch and owner of a traditional wooden house. There, Vang A Chu will give you your first glimpse of the local culture and the daily life of the Mong. Mr. Vang A Chu said: “Previously, this house had three pillars. But, the main pillar couldn’t withstand the ravages of time. The main pillar is 3 meters high. On some special occasions, we put incense on the pillar. The typical Mong house has two entrances, a main entrance and a side entrance. If someone in the family becomes ill, we close the main entrance and use the side entrance”.

Tourists like the warm, friendly atmosphere of the wooden houses of the Mong. Ms. Thuy said: “I like to stay with the locals to discover their daily lives. I join them to work in their rice fields. They prepare one of their typical meals for me. Spending a day with them is very impressive”.

At the entrance to every Mong house is a maize mill. Corn used to be the main staple of the locals. Now, rice is their main staple but the maize mill is still used to make food for animals. Thanh Tam, a tourist, is interested in handling the maize mill:  “I didn’t think it would be difficult, but it is. Anyway, I want to try it once in my life. It’s a nice experience”.

In the past corn was the main food crop of the Mong. The Mong only ate “men men”, a steamed corn flour dish. Today, the Mong promote the dish as part of their culture. Do Phuong, a tourist from Hanoi, says: "This is the first time I’ve tried the famous “men men” dish of the Mong. It’s very dry and hard to swallow. It’s a dish for the poor. Tourists should taste it at least once to understand the difficult life of the locals”.

Warm smiles, welcoming looks, and the flavor of “men men” make Chieng Di a unique village with authentic charm.

Lan Anh