Pavi stone road amidst the vast forest

The ancient Pavi stone road, nearly 16km long, connects Sang Ma Pho village, Sin Suoi Ho commune, Phong Tho district (formerly), Lai Chau province with Nhiu Co San village, Bat Xat district (formerly), Lao Cai province. The road is about 3m wide and entirely paved with hand-stacked stones. In the past, this was an important route for transporting food and agricultural products in the Northwest region. To this day, Pavi retains its ancient charm, becoming one of the most unique trekking routes in the region.

Mr. Chang A Sua from Sang Ma Pho village shared: “This road has been connected to us for a long time, serving as a route for production and trade; now, the villagers are united in preserving it to develop tourism .”

From Sang Ma Pho village, the first 5km of the journey is quite easy. Time-worn, polished stones, worn down by the footsteps of the locals, create a familiar feeling, like a gentle greeting from the mountains and forests. But the deeper you go, the more Pavi takes on a fairytale charm: green moss covering the rocks, morning mist clinging to the foliage, sunlight filtering through the ancient trees… All of this creates a space that is both wild and mysterious.

Tourists trek through maple forests during the leaf-changing season on the Hoang Lien Son mountain range (the section within Lai Chau province).

On both sides of the road lies a pristine forest ecosystem with towering chestnut and teak trees; fragrant cardamom groves; and the sounds of insects and forest birds echoing. All of this blends together to create the distinctive beauty of the Sin Suoi Ho forest – rustic, wild, and full of life. After about 3km, visitors will encounter a crystal-clear stream with cool, refreshing water. This is an ideal stop to fully appreciate the tranquility of nature.

Beyond its exploratory significance, the journey also includes the placement of markers to delineate the section of the route belonging to Lai Chau province. These markers are located at the border between Sin Suoi Ho (Lai Chau) and Den Sang (Lao Cai) – the intersection of the two regions, offering expansive views amidst a sea of clouds.

Mr. Cong Vu (Pu Lai Chau Travel Company) said: “Pavi is not only a beautiful trekking route but also a heritage site. Placing markers helps identify the section of the route belonging to Lai Chau, and at the same time, demonstrates the community's respect for this century-old route. We will continue to work alongside the local people to preserve and develop this destination.”

The ancient Pavi stone road – a route marking history – is becoming an attractive destination for local community tourism.

For many first-time visitors, Pavi leaves a strong impression with its rare, unspoiled beauty. Ms. Nhu Quynh (Lai Chau) shared: “The pristine scenery, the cool stream, and the feeling of walking on the centuries-old stone path are truly special. Standing in front of the newly erected marker, looking at the winding path through the forest, I felt like I was touching history. Pavi deserves to be a legendary trekking route in Northwest Vietnam.”

Quiet and unspoiled by commercialization, Pavi has preserved its pristine beauty for over a century. A crucial factor in this is the local people – the silent "forest guardians" who quietly protect the ancient stone road. Sung A Phua, Deputy Head of Sang Ma Pho village, said: “This road has existed for a long time, connecting two villages in two provinces. We have identified it as a road for tourism development, so we have encouraged the villagers to clean it up monthly to attract tourists.”

Tourists and locals take photos at the landmark (the border point between Lai Chau and Lao Cai provinces).

Over 100 years have passed, yet Pavi remains steadfastly nestled amidst the vast forest, connecting two villages and now serving as a bridge between community tourism and sustainable green livelihoods for the local people. Every step on the ancient stone path feels like touching a slice of time; each landmark holds a story of the forest, the people, and the history of the highlands.

Source: https://baolaichau.vn/van-hoa/duong-da-pavi-giua-dai-ngan-692975