Travelog - A travel guide to Vietnam

Destinations:

• Fansipan Mountain

Location: Fansipan Mountain is located 9km south-west of Sapa Townlet in the Hoang Lien Mountain Range.
Characteristics: Fansipan is branded “the Roof of Indochina” at the height of 3,143m; Fansipan is to be approved as one of the very few eco-tourist spots of Vietnam, with about 2,024 floral varieties and 327 faunal species.

• Ham Rong Mountain

Location: In center of Sapa Townlet, Sapa District, Lao Cai District; 33km from Lao Cai City.
Characteristics: Ham Rong Mountain is an attractive tourist area in the center of Sapa Townlet.

• Sapa Ancient Rock Field

Location: Sapa Ancient Rock Field is in Muong Hoa Valley, Hau Thao Commune, Sapa District, Lao Cai Province.
Characteristic: This 8sq.km-area of remains consists of large multi-grade rocks engraved with ancient images.

Festivals:

• Tet of dancing of the Dao Do

Time: From the 1st to the 2nd day of the first lunar month.
Place: Ta Phin Commune, Sa Pa District, Lao Cai Province.
Objects of worship: Deities, ancestors.
Characteristics: Dancing (14 styles of dance), bathing ancestor’s statues.

• Communal House Festival of the Tay

Time: 6th day of the first lunar month.
Place: Gia Village, Bao Yen District, Lao Cai Province.
Objects of worship: Mountain Deity.
Characteristics: Worship to the Mountain Deity, black pig offering, con throwing and giao duyen singing.

• Thuong Temple Spring Festival

Time: 11th to the 15th day of the first lunar month.
Place: Lao Cai City, Lao Cai Province.
Objects of worship: Tran Hung Dao.
Characteristics: A palanquin procession, tug of war contest, wrestling contest, and còn throwing, sticks pushing, no (arbalest) shooting.

• Xoe Dancing Festival in Ta Chai

Time: The 15th day of the first lunar month.
Place: Ta Chai Commune, Bac Ha District, Lao Cai Province.
Objects of worship: Agriculture Deity (administer of fields and gardens).
Characteristics: Xoe dancing of the Tay.

• Worshipping Forest Festival of the Nung

Time: the 29th day of the first lunar month.
Place: Muong Khuong District, Lao Cai Province.
Objects of worship: Gods of village and tree.
Characteristics: Worship two ancient trees (Father and Mother trees), and worship people who sacrifice their life for reclaiming the village. Games: contest of leng hao, lan co singing, swinging, wood chess playing.

• “Going to the field” or Long tong Festival of the Giay

Time: The thin day of the first lunar month.
Place: Ta Van Commune, Sa Pa District, Lao Cai Province.
Objects of worship: The Heaven, the Earth, the God of rice.
Characteristics: Praying for good crop festival.

• Com (young green glutinous rice) Festival of the Tay

Time: The 15th day of the eighth lunar month.
Place: At home and the head of village in Bao Yen District, Lao Cai Province.
Objects of worship: Thanh Quan.
Characteristics: Contest of pounding com, ceremonies of offering the moon, calling the moon, giao duyen singing, det cui (weaving) dancing, nom singing of the Tay.