See the square earthen houses of the Ha Nhi people
Việt Nam•30/10/2024
Coming to the highland commune of Y Ty this season, visitors can not only feel the cool air and poetic natural scenery but also see the houses with earthen walls in Choan Then village. The Ha Nhi people's rammed earth houses in the highlands are made of earth, suitable for harsh climate conditions. The architecture of the Ha Nhi people's rammed earth houses is somewhat more special in that they are made in a square, boxy shape. The walls are made of well-rammed earth, which has good insulation, keeping the house warm in winter and cool in summer, suitable for the highland climate. The roof is thatched from forest leaves such as thatch or thin wooden panels, with a steep slope so that rainwater can quickly drain away, minimizing weather erosion. The houses are located close together, from a distance they look like giant mushrooms growing on the mountainside, hidden in the mist and clouds creating a poetic scene. On the wall are pigeon nests raised by the people. The Ha Nhi people usually build houses during the off-season from September to December of the lunar calendar, which is also a time with little rain, which is favorable for digging the ground to build the walls. After finding a suitable location and land, the Ha Nhi people start building the house foundation. The house foundation is dug about 1 meter deep into the ground and is stacked with high stones until the stone foundation is about 50 cm above ground level. To create a unique, sturdy, thick mushroom-shaped wall is a feat, requiring a lot of effort and time, lasting for months. This process requires the dexterity and strength of the hands of strong young men, pounding the soil until it is soft and bonded together like concrete. The base of the house is reinforced with a layer of stone to create stability. Choan Then village, Y Ty commune (Bat Xat, Lao Cai) currently has 63 households, with more than 300 people, 100% of whom are Ha Nhi ethnic people. Currently, villagers are preserving rammed earth houses to develop community tourism and welcome tourists. This will increase income while preserving local cultural identity. The daily life of the people here still continues as usual to preserve the inherent traditions. On October 30, speaking with Lao Dong, Chairman of the People's Committee of Y Ty Commune Tao Van Sinh said: "The people in the commune are mainly Ha Nhi ethnic group, with a cultural characteristic of square-shaped earthen houses. The commune coordinates with functional agencies to plan, in order to preserve traditional values. We and the people are trying to maintain the status quo, not to break the structure. From there, create jobs and increase income for people from tourism development."
Việt Nam•30/10/2024
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