Discover Van Chan

Based on the merger of three communes: Suoi Bu, Dong Khe, Suoi Giang, and Son Thinh town, Van Chan commune today has all the elements to become an attractive tourist destination. After traversing the winding mountain passes characteristic of the Northwest mountainous region, this is the first stop for tourists on their journey to explore the western part of the province.

To relieve fatigue after a long journey, visitors can stop by Suoi Khoang village, located right in the center of the commune, to enjoy the gentle embrace of the hot springs.

Here, 10 Thai families have invested in and developed the region's characteristic hot spring tourism services. From simple bathing rooms, most of the tourist facilities have now upgraded to include swimming pools, combined with distinctive ethnic cuisine and accommodation with beautiful, welcoming architecture.

The Giáp Hoài homestay owned by the Lò Văn Giáp family is one such example. After many years of both running the business and reinvesting, upgrading, and renovating, Mr. Giáp's homestay now boasts a communal stilt house, 7 bungalows with a capacity of approximately 50 people per night, along with 7 indoor bathrooms and 2 swimming pools using natural hot mineral water. During peak months, Mr. Giáp's family can earn up to 80 million VND.

Mr. Lo Van Giap shared: “Many years ago, homestays only had guests in winter and spring, but now we have guests all year round. Guests also stay longer and spend more. Now that the peak season is starting, our family has prepared clean and beautiful accommodations, committed to not increasing room prices, and focused on the quality of food and drinks, as well as regularly changing the water and cleaning the swimming pool, to leave a good impression on tourists.”

Whether it's early morning or late afternoon, Suoi Khoang (Mineral Spring) is shrouded in a mystical mist, revealing simple stilt houses, crystal-clear mineral water pools, and the natural warmth of the water, all blended with the scent of herbs, plants, and freshly cooked rice.

But perhaps the best time to experience it is at sunset when the golden sunlight is soft and warm steam rises more densely. As your body is slowly enveloped by the warm water, all fatigue and stress seem to vanish.

Simply by sitting still and relaxing their minds, visitors can hear the rustling of the wind in the lush green bamboo groves, the chirping of birds somewhere in the garden, with no car horns, no phone calls… only peace and tranquility. It's the perfect combination of physical and mental therapy, a tonic for both body and soul.

Regaining their energy, tourists continue their journey along the 17-kilometer mountain pass to reach Suoi Giang peak, located at an altitude of 1,300-1,400 meters, to explore what is considered the center of community-based resort tourism.

This place is not only covered in clouds year-round and has fresh air, but it also boasts a unique Hmong ethnic culture, intertwined with ancient, gnarled Shan Tuyet tea trees hundreds of years old, creating a picturesque and historic landscape. Villages like Pang Cang, Giang A, and Giang B are wonderful places to explore.

Visitors to Suoi Giang can immerse themselves in the local culture, wearing traditional baskets and joining the Mong people in harvesting tea, witnessing the tea-making process firsthand, and enjoying the delicious, pure flavor of the famous "five-extreme" tea.

As night falls, amidst the tranquil atmosphere, by the crackling fire, sipping a hot cup of Shan Tuyet tea while listening to the haunting sound of the Hmong flute will be an unforgettable experience. In addition, visitors can enjoy local specialties, including unique dishes infused with the flavor of Shan Tuyet tea, such as grilled meat wrapped in tea leaves, and young tea leaves eaten raw with various herbs…

Visiting Suoi Giang in late November, tourists can also immerse themselves in the vibrant atmosphere of the Lao Cai Province Shan Snow Tea Festival with the theme "Fragrance of Tea in the Clouds," which is expected to take place from November 21-23.

Visitors can participate in the Shan Snow Tea Party Night – where the art of tea making is staged, blending with the sounds of horns, flutes, and characteristic cultural performances of the Hmong people; learn about the sacred rituals of the Hmong people at the Ceremony honoring the Ancestral Tea Tree in Pang Cang village...

Along with that, there is a series of activities: a highland food market, performances of ethnic cultures, folk games, a cultural exchange night… creating an atmosphere rich in the unique identity of the Northwest region.

Mr. Nguyen Huu Luc, Chairman of the People's Committee of Van Chan commune, said: "Preparations have been underway since August. The People's Committee of the commune has developed a plan for organizing the festival, established an organizing committee and specialized subcommittees. The commune plans to invite 9 units and neighboring communes in the province that produce Shan Tuyet tea to participate in the festival, both to discuss and compare the similarities and differences in tea culture and to aim towards building the festival into an annual event, possibly rotating the venue."

The spirit of the 2025 Shan Snow Tea Festival is "to delve deep into tea," focusing on unique local cultural activities rather than hiring event organizers to hold large-scale artistic programs. The commune plans to use drones to transport fresh tea leaves directly from the gardens to the festival grounds. There, the organizers will set up two traditional tea roasting ovens to demonstrate the roasting process on-site, allowing delegates and visitors to experience it firsthand.

To conclude your journey, don't forget to visit the "5,000 VND Market." Take some time to explore and shop for unique mountain specialties here, savoring the essence of your trip before returning home.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/kham-pha-van-chan-post886907.html