The Muong and Thai ethnic group in Hoa Binh lives in the valleys of the wet rice fields. At Maichau, 1200m above sea level, visitors can enjoy a clear view of the beautiful scenery of the Muongand Thai lands and discover the unique culture and life of the people.
They also possess fascinating rituals for weddings, funerals or great mountain worship ceremonies like de dat and de nuoc (giving birth to the land and the water).
Drums and gongs still play an important role in Muong and Thai music. During the spring festival when people are going down to the rice fields or during house-warming celebrations, the musical sound of the Muong's set of 12 gongs can be heard and enjoyed. The babbling of streams, the rustling of forest trees and the beating of gongs are unforgettable sounds of the Muong land.
In the Muong, Thai mountain villages, visitors will receive a friendly welcome to their unique culture.
Lac Village in Mai Chau Valley
Mai Chau Valley is approximately 150km from Hanoi, 70km from the town of Hoa Binh. Lac Village is located in Chieng Mai Commune, 1km from the town center of Mai Chau District. The beautiful district of Mai Chau lies in a green valley of paddy fields dotted with rows of stilt houses, belonging to the Thai community.
The stilt houses are built from hard wood and stand about 2m above the ground. The roofs are often made of palm leaves. The windows are relatively large to allow fresh air to circulate and are decorated with baskets of orchids and bird cages hanging on the outside.
A handloom with a young woman weaving brocade can often be seen through the windows. A young man wishing to ask for her hand in marriage examines the blankets and mattresses decorated with colourful designs to evaluate the diligence and domesticity of his future bride. Similarly, a young girl judges the working ability of her future husband by looking at the number of fish scales and tails trophies stuck to the wooden pillars.
Visitors are encouraged to take of their shoes and even to clean their feet with water before entering the houses. Hosts spread mats on the floor and invite their guests to sit down and drink home-brewed ruou can alcohol. Meanwhile, the wives cook glutinous rice. There is often a fish tank close to the house. The host allows his guests to choose the fish they want for their soup.
An overnight stay at one of the stilt houses in Mai Chau will be enlivened by folk dances and songs that are accompanied by gong music. It costs about US$ 10 to stay overnight, and US$ 4 for a meal
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