A 'fairy tale in the sky' in Lai Chau, where peach blossoms and mustard flowers bloom beautifully like a painting.

In Ta Leng commune, Lai Chau province, located more than 400km from Hanoi and about 50km from Sa Pa, lies a small Dao ethnic village nestled on the mountainside, possessing a peaceful and poetic beauty amidst the vast expanse of clouds and towering mountains of the Northwest region.

That is Si Thau Chai, also known by travel enthusiasts as the "healing village" or "fairy tale village".

This small village is home to over 60 Dao ethnic households, perched precariously at an altitude of nearly 1,500 meters above sea level. From the village's highest point, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the old Tam Duong town, the rolling mountain ranges, and the vast sea of ​​white clouds.

In 2024, the Si Thau Chai community tourism project was recognized as a 3-star OCOP product of the province, becoming an ideal destination on the Lai Chau tourism map.

The Sì Thâu Chải community tourism village is affectionately called a "fairy tale village" by many tourists. Photo: Lê Thu Thảo

Each season, Si Thau Chai has its own unique beauty, but the period leading up to and after the Lunar New Year is when it welcomes the largest number of tourists and is also the season of major festivals.

Le Thu Thao (25 years old, from Lao Cai ) recently visited Si Thau Chai with a friend to "recharge" for two days and one night. The female tourist was immersed in a dreamy pink landscape of peach blossoms, interspersed with the golden yellow and pure white of mustard flowers, and dotted with plum blossoms and orchids.

"This is my first time visiting Si Thau Chai after I stumbled upon a video of this village on social media. When I arrived, the scenery was even more beautiful than in the video. The slow, relaxed pace of life made me feel comfortable and significantly reduced my fatigue," Thao shared.

The roads around the village are filled with colorful flowers. Photo: Le Thu Thao

Surrounding the village are stone fences and clean, paved paths built by the villagers themselves. Both sides of the paths are adorned with bushes of old roses and fragrant myrtle flowers… The gates of each house are carefully maintained by the homeowners, each bearing its own unique character.

The Dao community here has preserved its culture through language, clothing, writing, and traditional rituals. Therefore, Si Thau Chai is not only a natural destination but also a living museum of Dao ethnic culture.

The serene beauty and rich traditional charm of Sì Thâu Chải. Photo: Lê Thu Thảo

The village isn't very big, so during her time there, Thảo mostly walked around, enjoying the scenery, the fresh air, and the peaceful pace of life.

In the morning, guests can sit by the homestay, sipping tea or coffee while admiring the ethereal mist and fluffy white clouds. In the afternoon, the sunset casts its golden hues over the canola fields, creating a picturesque scene. In the evening, Thao and her friend enjoyed a hot pot meal with the homestay owner's family, learning about the local life and culture.

Thu Thảo also visited Tác Tình waterfall, not far from the village, where the white water cascades down, foaming amidst the tranquil mountains and forests.

A field of rapeseed flowers at sunset. Photo: Le Thu Thao

The poetic and tranquil sunset at Sì Thâu Chải captivated the female tourist. Photo: Lê Thu Thảo

"The local cuisine mainly consists of dishes that the villagers can raise and produce themselves, such as black chicken, dried buffalo meat, local pork, and vegetables... The dishes are simple but suit my taste, and perhaps the climate in Si Thau Chai makes the food even tastier," Thao shared.

The village has local specialties such as purple sticky rice, grilled local pork, and apple wine…

For many years, Si Thau Chai has been an ideal paragliding spot for domestic and international pilots. Visiting during favorable weather conditions, tourists can experience paragliding to admire the panoramic view of the Tam Duong valley below – where white clouds, terraced rice fields, and villages blend together to create a vibrant landscape.

Peach blossoms are in full bloom in the village in the days leading up to the Lunar New Year. Photo: Le Thu Thao

During the Lunar New Year holiday, Si Thau Chai can be an ideal destination for tourists to relax amidst nature and experience the culture of the Dao people. However, visitors should book their accommodations early as the number of rooms in the village is limited.

Tourists can combine their itinerary from Si Thau Chai with a visit to Sa Pa (Lao Cai) or Sin Suoi Ho (Lai Chau).

This picturesque village, located 200km from Hanoi, is perfect for taking stunning photos. It's a Hmong village situated on the road to the Na Ka plum valley, yet it remains relatively unknown to many tourists. The village boasts a pristine, rustic beauty that brings peace to the soul.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/ban-co-tich-giua-lung-chung-troi-o-lai-chau-hoa-dao-cai-no-ro-dep-nhu-tranh-2489093.html