"What I experienced in Ha Giang feels like it was just yesterday, it makes me cry when I think about it," said Cedrick Louise Vinoya, a Filipino, after a trip to Ha Giang in March. Witnessing the breathtaking scenery and meeting the friendly locals was "the best way to turn 27," according to Cedrick.
The moment that moved him to tears happened when the car stopped in a valley near Dong Van, just as the sun was setting. The golden sunlight covered the green terraced fields and the limestone mountains, creating a scene that was both majestic and poetic.
Than, Cedrick’s guide, stopped the car and shared with him about his homeland with pride shining in his eyes. Suddenly, a group of Hmong children ran up, carrying wildflowers and bright smiles.
"The children's clear laughter, Than's proud eyes and the sincerity in that moment made me unable to hold back my tears," he said. The male tourist said he was overwhelmed with emotions when standing in the middle of majestic nature and receiving warm affection from strangers.
Than became more than just a driver, telling Cedrick about the lives of the highlanders, how they grow crops to survive on the barren rocky land, and about the simple joys of everyday life. Cedrick realized that the people of Ha Giang, although not rich in material things, possess another richness - rich in culture, kindness, and pure happiness.
"They taught me that true wealth is living with an open heart, appreciating simple things, and finding joy in human connection," he said.
Cedrick was not the only one who cried after leaving Ha Giang. Jess Louise, a British tourist who traveled to Ha Giang in early April, shared a similar experience. During a week in Ha Giang, she and Xen, her driver, formed an invisible bond despite the language barrier. The female tourist also cried after the trip when she had to say goodbye to her travel companion.
One small moment that Jess will always remember is when Xen came and gave her a wild flower from the roadside. Or at each stop, he came to ask about and massage his companion after a long motorbike trip. Jess said that even though Xen could not speak English, they still found empathy through kindness and sincerity.
Megan Coney, a Canadian, still remembers her trip to Ha Giang two years ago, saying she always recommends her friends to try it if they have the opportunity to travel to Vietnam. The video of Megan crying in Ha Giang received a lot of attention in 2023 and she has never forgotten that feeling.
"I was moved by what I experienced throughout the trip, the beautiful scenery of Ha Giang made me realize how lucky I was," she said.
The drivers also made her feel close and safe. Although she could no longer remember the details of the conversation, she laughed a lot on the winding, dangerous roads of Ha Giang. The lives of the children in the mountains also left her amazed and impressed.
A representative of Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark said that most drivers on tours in Ha Giang do not know English. However, they understand ethnic culture and mountainous terrain, so they become reliable companions on every trip.
"That job supports them and their families, so the drivers are often very enthusiastic," said a representative of the unit, adding that the group of drivers transporting foreign tourists previously mainly worked in agriculture and had low incomes.
Mr. Nguyen Van Tuan, representative of Jasmine Tours - specializing in serving international tourists in Ha Giang - said that many drivers have never left the village, so each time they meet foreign tourists is a great joy. They give wild flowers, hold umbrellas, help put on helmets or simply bring sincere smiles, making tourists feel like they are being treated like "princess".
"That care comes from the heart and nature of Ha Giang people," he said.
A representative of the Bibi Ha Giang Loop Tour, a company specializing in international tourists, also said that Ha Giang's appeal comes from both the people and the experiences. Most drivers and tour guides have not undergone formal tourism training and are "rarely genuine".
"They bring the typical hospitality of Ha Giang, making visitors feel the warmth," said a Bibi representative.
The Ha Giang authorities are also focusing on improving the quality of services provided by tour guides and drivers. In the near future, Ha Giang will hold training courses on knowledge and civilized tourism behavior for drivers transporting tourists, while providing them with official tourism information. Jasmine Tours is also encouraging drivers to learn English to better connect.
For Cedrick, the way he views happiness has completely changed after the trip. The male tourist still keeps in touch with Than and often looks back at the photos during his time traveling to Ha Giang.
He advised tourists who are about to come to Ha Giang: please cherish this land, respect the culture and indigenous people, don't just come to take pictures but listen to their daily stories.
TH (according to VnExpress)Source: https://baohaiduong.vn/ha-giang-khien-nhieu-khach-nuoc-ngoai-bat-khoc-sau-chuyen-di-413325.html
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