Based on the merger of 3 communes: Suoi Bu, Dong Khe, Suoi Giang and Son Thinh town, Van Chan commune today has enough factors to become an attractive tourist destination. After the winding mountain passes typical of the Northwest mountains, this is the first stop for tourists on their journey to explore the West of the province.
To dispel fatigue after a long journey, visitors can visit Suoi Khoang village located right in the center of the commune to enjoy the gentle "hug" from the hot mineral stream.
Here, there are 10 Thai families who have invested and developed the hot mineral spring tourism service typical of this region. From simple baths, up to now, most of the tourist facilities have upgraded to add swimming pools combined with unique ethnic culinary services and accommodation with beautiful and close architecture.
Giap Hoai Homestay of Mr. Lo Van Giap's family is one of them. After many years of doing business, reinvesting, upgrading, and renovating, Giap's homestay now has 1 communal stilt house, 7 bungalows with a capacity of about 50 people per night along with 7 indoor bathrooms, 2 swimming pools using natural hot mineral water. During peak months, Giap's family income can reach up to 80 million VND.
Mr. Lo Van Giap shared: “Many years ago, the homestay only had guests in winter and spring, but now there are guests all year round. The length of stay of guests is also longer, and the spending level is also higher. Now that the peak season has begun, our family has prepared a clean and beautiful place to stay, committed to not increasing room rates and focusing on the quality of food and drinks as well as changing the water and cleaning the swimming pool regularly, leaving a good impression on visitors.”
Whether early morning or late afternoon, Suoi Khoang is always immersed in a mysterious mist, hidden within which are simple stilt houses, clear, naturally warm mineral water pools mixed with the scent of grass and trees, and the lingering smell of new rice.
But perhaps the best time to experience it is in the late afternoon when the sunlight is pale yellow and the warm steam rises thicker. As the body is slowly enveloped by the warm water, all fatigue and stress seem to disappear.
Just sit in one place, relax your mind, you can hear the rustling of the wind in the green bamboo groves, the chirping of birds somewhere in the garden, no car horns, no phone calls… just peace and quiet. It is the perfect combination of physical therapy and spiritual therapy as a tonic for both body and soul.
Regaining energy, visitors continue to overcome the 17-kilometer pass to reach Suoi Giang peak at an altitude of 1,300 - 1,400 m to explore the place considered the center of resort and community tourism.
Not only is this place covered in clouds all year round and has fresh air, but it also has a unique Mong ethnic cultural identity, associated with ancient Shan Tuyet tea trees hundreds of years old, creating an ancient landscape. Villages such as Pang Cang, Giang A, Giang B will be great places to explore.
Visitors to Suoi Giang can transform into a local, wear a bamboo hat and join the Mong people in picking tea, witness the tea making process, and enjoy the delicious, pure flavor of the famous "five-pole" tea.
At night, in the quiet space, by the flickering fire, sipping a cup of hot Shan Tuyet tea with the soulful sound of Mong flute will be an unforgettable experience. In addition, visitors can also enjoy ethnic specialties, including strange dishes mixed with the flavor of Shan Tuyet tea such as: grilled meat wrapped in tea leaves, young tea leaves eaten raw with herbs...
Coming to Suoi Giang in the last days of November, visitors can also immerse themselves in the vibrant atmosphere of the Shan Tuyet Tea Festival of Lao Cai province with the theme "Tea scent in the clouds" scheduled to take place from November 21 to 23.
Visitors can participate in the Shan Tuyet Tea Party Night - where the art of tea making is staged in harmony with the sounds of trumpets, flutes and typical cultural performances of the Mong people; learn about the sacred rituals of the Mong people at the Ceremony to honor the Ancestral Tea Tree in Pang Cang village...
Along with that is a series of activities: highland culinary fair, ethnic cultural performances, folk games, cultural exchange night... bringing a space imbued with the identity of the Northwest.
Mr. Nguyen Huu Luc - Chairman of Van Chan Commune People's Committee said: "Preparations have been started since August. The Commune People's Committee has developed a plan to organize the festival, established an organizing committee and specialized subcommittees. The commune plans to invite 9 units and communes in the province with Shan Tuyet tea to participate in the Festival to discuss and compare the similarities and differences in tea culture and to aim to build the festival into an annual event, which can rotate the venue".
The spirit of the 2025 Shan Tuyet Tea Festival is to “go deep into tea”, focusing on unique local cultural activities instead of hiring event units to organize large art programs. The commune plans to use drones to transport fresh tea from the garden directly to the Festival grounds. Here, the organizing committee will install 2 manual tea roasting ovens to perform tea roasting on the spot for delegates and visitors to experience.
To end the journey, visitors should not forget to visit the “5,000 VND Market”. Take time to explore and shop for unique mountain specialties here, fully capturing the essence of the trip before returning.
Source: https://baolaocai.vn/kham-pha-van-chan-post886907.html
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