(VOVWORLD) -Stretching about 180 kilometers across Vietnam’s northwest, the Hoang Lien Son mountain range offers countless hiking routes, with Ta Van emerging as an ideal stopover. After passing through pristine landscapes and unspoiled nature, travelers can pause in Ta Van commune to experience the everyday life of local ethnic minority communities.
 Travelers cross Giang Ta Chai bamboo forest to Ta Van. (Photo: Huyen Trang/VOV5) |
Travelers follow a curved trail skirting the slopes of the Hoang Lien Son range, embracing villages at the foot of the mountains. It takes three to five hours to trek 8 to 12 kilometers through villages in the Muong Hoa Valley.
Nestled about 12 kilometers from the center of Sa Pa town, Lao Cai province, Ta Van is home to the Mong, Giay, and Red Dao communities. It was named one of the six most beautiful villages in Asia by Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post in July 2025.
Starting from a small uphill path, the daily life of the villagers gradually unfolds in an intimate and authentic way. Visitors may see some children playing on the lanes, elderly women embroidering by their doorway, or men tending to livestock and poultry.
 Adventurers navigate a narrow, rugged path deep in the forest. (Photo: Huyen Trang/VOV5) |
“We arrived this morning and will leave tomorrow morning. We spent one day in Sapa. It’s an interesting journey. Lai, our tour guide, tells us a lot about the local life and people,” said Italian tourist Elena.
Chao May Lai, a Red Dao man, has three years of experience as a hiking guide around the Ta Van loop. Familiar with every corner of the area and deeply understanding the lives of his group and others, Lai has a lot of down-to-earth stories to tell visitors along the way.
“If visitors come here wanting an authentic experience, I take them up into the mountains to collect medicinal plants for bathing or drinking, so they can really experience local life. Some visitors enjoy it so much that after returning home, they introduce their friends to come here,” Lai said.
 An aerial view of Ta Van commune (Photo: Huyen Trang/VOV5) |
The mountainside trail exploring Ta Van takes visitors through a roller coaster of emotions. At times, it brings a sense of adventure and caution while walking on rugged lanes beside deep ravines. There are also moments of relaxation while immersing oneself in the cool, clear water of cascading waterfalls, or standing at high points to take in the panoramic view of the landscape below, highlighted by the emerald-green Seo My Ti lake. During the rice harvest season, visitors can admire the golden terraced fields.
French tourist Maxime said, “The trip is wonderful. It requires good physical health. You shouldn’t carry heavy luggage. After trying, I can enjoy beautiful scenes. Europeans like us love terraced rice fields. We have to work up a bit of a sweat to get there. This is our first long trek in Vietnam with a guide, and also our first time in Vietnam.”
 Moments of relaxation at cascading waterfalls (Photo: Huyen Trang/VOV5) |
One of the most captivating sections of the route is the stretch through the Giang Ta Chai bamboo forest. Although it’s a challenging journey, visitors can admire the beauty of nature, breathe the forest air, and hear the only rustling sound of bamboo in the wind.
Italian tourist Laura said: “It’s beautiful, incredibly peaceful, and I really love it. This is my first time in Vietnam, a wonderful country.”
 A Red Dao woman embroidering is a familiar sight along the way to Ta Van. (Photo: Huyen Trang/VOV5) |
On the way descending from the mountains, visitors pass through other villages where they may see cooking fires glowing in front yards, women embroidering and drawing beeswax on fabric, and men splitting bamboo strips to weave baskets. Since this trail became known, ethnic locals have involved in tourism, opening homestays and small eateries serving local specialties.
A Mong man named Thau A Khai said, “First, I learned a foreign language, then attended a training course on tourism guide. I really love this job and enjoy it. If visitors want a longer trek, I can take them farther. If someone doesn’t feel comfortable, we do a shorter route through villages, bamboo hills, and waterfalls.”
 Villages along the Muong Hoa stream (Photo: Huyen Trang/VOV5) |
Very few visitors choose to trek along the Muong Hoa stream in the final leg of the journey, as it is quite difficult, requiring skills and time. However, those who take the challenge will be treated to the magnificent terraced fields on both sides of the stream and villages leaning against the mist-covered Hoang Lien Son range in the distance. The curved trail offers yet another perspective on exploring Ta Van region.